Gorgeous elf

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Gorgeous elf
Gorgeous elf

Gorgeous elf

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Sailor birds (Apodiformes)
Family : Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)
Genre : Lophornis
Type : Gorgeous elf
Scientific name
Lophornis magnificus
( Vieillot , 1817)

The magnificent elf ( Lophornis magnificus ) is a species of bird from the hummingbird family (Trochilidae). The species has a large range that includes the east, southeast and central Brazil.

features

The Prachtelfe reaches a body length of about 7 centimeters, with a weight of only 3 grams. The male's forehead and throat glisten green, while the hood is colored red-brown. The back, the wing covers, the flanks and the central control feathers are bronze green. They have a white back bandage. The lateral elongated neck feathers are white with a black-green end band and red-brown root. The rump is colored copper-red. The faded chest transverse band is brownish white. The red-brown under tail-coverts have a brown, shiny cast. The wings are blackish purple, the middle of the abdomen gray-brown. The lateral tail feathers are reddish brown with a golden bronze colored edge. The tip of the red beak is black, the feet brown. In the females, the back of the head, the back and the wing covers are colored bronze-green. A whitish ocher colored cross band runs through the back. The rump is reddish bronze-green, the forehead and throat rust-colored. The underside looks dirty gray-brown. The throat, chest and flanks are streaked with bronze-green spots. The under tail-coverts are red-brown. The wings are blackish purple like the male. The red-brown tail feathers are traversed by a broad black band near the end. The upper bill is blackish red, the lower bill red with a black tip. The legs are dark brown.

Distribution and way of life

This species is found in eastern and central Brazil, where it is found in forests and low vegetation. Its diet includes plant nectars and insects.

Distribution map of the magnificent elf

Reproduction

During the courtship season, the males follow the females until they slow down their flight. Then both birds face each other and flap their wings up and down. The bowl-shaped nest, which is located near the ground, is made of plant parts and with bark, filaments and the like. like camouflaged. Further details about the brood are not yet known.

Danger

Although there is no population information on the species, the IUCN lists this species as least concern .

Etymology and history of research

Louis Pierre Vieillot described the magnificent elf under the name Trochilus magnificus . The type specimen came from Brazil. Only later was it added to the genus Lophornis . This name is derived from the Greek words "lophos λοφος " for "mane, forehead " and "ornis ορνις " for "bird". "Magnificus" is the Latin word for "splendid, splendid".

literature

  • Rolf Grantsau : The hummingbirds of Brazil . Expressão e Cultura, Rio de Janeiro 1988, ISBN 978-85-208-0101-7 .
  • The great world empire of the animals. Translation from English, pp. 278, 279, Ed. Philip Withfield, Publisher: Planet Medien AG, Zug 1992, ISBN 3-8247-8614-1
  • James A. Jobling: Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 .
  • Louis Pierre Vieillot: Nouveau dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l'agriculture, à l'économie rurale et domestique, à la médecine, etc. Par une société de naturalistes et d'agriculteurs . tape 7 . Deterville, Paris 1817 ( online [accessed May 14, 2013]).

Web links

Commons : Lophornis magnificus  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Rolf Grantsau, p. 73
  2. ↑ Louis Pierre Vieillot, p. 367
  3. ↑ James A. Jobling, p. 230
  4. ↑ James A. Jobling, p. 237