Orange-throated elf

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Orange-throated elf
Orange-throated elf (male)

Orange-throated elf (male)

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Sailor birds (Apodiformes)
Family : Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)
Genre : Northern Elves ( Selasphorus )
Type : Orange-throated elf
Scientific name
Selasphorus scintilla
( Gould , 1851)

The orange-throated elf ( Selasphorus scintilla ), also known as the flaming hummingbird , is a species of bird in the hummingbird family (Trochilidae).

distribution

The species lives in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama at an altitude of 900 to 2500 m and inhabits bushy forest edges, coffee plantations and gardens.

Appearance

The smallest hummingbird species in Costa Rica reaches a body length between 6.5 and 8.0 centimeters and weighs 2.0 to 2.3 grams. It has a black straight beak and black feet. The males are slightly smaller and lighter than the females. The plumage of the males is shimmering orange in the area of ​​the throat. The front chest is white-gray in color. The back is greenish and the top of the tail is greenish and orange in color. The females are significantly less colorful. They have a white throat and a white color with black spots on the underside of the head. Young birds resemble the females in terms of plumage. The species can most likely be confused with the volcanic elf ( Selasphorus flammula ).

food

Orange-throated elf (female)

The diet of the orange-throated elf consists mainly of flower nectar and pollen . The nectar is absorbed from the flowers while hovering. In addition, the hummingbirds eat insects , which ensures a sufficient supply of protein .

Reproduction

After mating , the females build a nest made of cobwebs , plant wool , lichen or moss . The nest is built hidden in a bush or tree. The female usually lays two white eggs from September to February.

Danger

The natural enemies of the hummingbird are snakes , cats and birds of prey . The entire population of this species is currently not considered threatened. In the Red List of the World Conservation Union , the orange-throated elf is therefore listed in the "LC" (least concern - not endangered) category.

Etymology and history of research

John Gould described the hummingbird under the name Trochilus (Selasphorus) scintilla . He named the Volcán de Chiriqui as the site . Although the edition of the magazine says the year 1850, it did not appear until 1851. Only later was the species assigned to the genus Selasphorus . The generic name comes from the Greek words "selas σέλας " for "shine, light, flame" and "-phoros, pherō πηοροσ " for "supporting, carrier". The specific epithet »scintilla« is the Latin word for »spark«.

literature

  • Alexander Frank Skutch : Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica . University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas 2002, ISBN 0-292-73459-X .
  • Carrol LaVerne Henderson: Birds of Costa Rica . University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas 2010, ISBN 978-0-292-71965-1 .
  • Christopher J. Clark, Teresa J. Feo, Ignacio Escalante: Courtship Displays and Natural History of Scintillant (Selasphorus scintilla) and Volcano (S. flammula) Hummingbirds . In: The Wilson Journal of Ornithology . tape 123 , no. 2 , 2011, p. 218-228 , doi : 10.1676 / 10-076.1 .
  • James A. Jobling: Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 .
  • John Gould: On six new species of Humming Birds . In: Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London . tape 18 , no. 211 , 1850, pp. 162-144 ( biodiversitylibrary.org [accessed November 2, 2014]).

Web links

Commons : Selasphorus scintilla  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Avibase.bsc-eoc.org: Orange-throated elf accessed on July 6, 2014.
  2. ^ Neotropical.birds.cornell.edu: Selasphorus scintilla , accessed July 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ a b Darnis.inbio.ac.cr: Especies de Costa Rica - Selasphorus scintilla. ( Memento of July 14, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) accessed on July 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Alexander Skutch: Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica. P. 292 ff .: Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla).
  5. ^ Carrol L. Henderson: Birds of Costa Rica. P. 167: Scintillant Hummingbird.
  6. ^ Neotropical.birds.cornell.edu: Selasphorus scintilla - Food. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Neotropical.birds.cornell.edu: Selasphorus scintilla - Reproduction. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ IUCN: Selasphorus scintilla, accessed July 6, 2014.
  9. ^ John Gould, p. 162.
  10. ↑ James A. Jobling p. 352.
  11. ↑ James A. Jobling p. 351.