Magenta-throated Woodstar

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iMagenta-throated Woodstar
Male in Costa Rica
Male in Costa Rica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calliphlox
Species: C. bryantae
Binomial name
Calliphlox bryantae
(Lawrence, 1867)

The Magenta-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox bryantae) is an attractive hummingbird that is a resident breeder in forest edge and scrub in Costa Rica and western Panama. Its nest is undescribed.

The 9 cm long, 3.5 g weight male Magenta-throated Woodstar is unmistakable with its magenta throat separated by a white collar from the green chest and flanks. The back is green and the belly is rufous. There are white rump patches, and the black-tipped tail is long and forked.

The female is 3 cm long and lacks the male’s long tail. Her plumage is generally like the male’s but her throat is grey-buff instead of magenta, and the tail sides are rufous. Immature birds are like the female, but paler below and with buff fringes to the upperparts plumage.

The male gives a diving display flight alone or in loose groups. His song is a spluttering gurgle, and the call a dry chi or territorial chrrrrt.

These birds usually visit flowers of herbs, trees and scrubs for nectar, cocking their tails as they feed.

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