Mountain Avocetbill (Opisthoprora euryptera)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in). The Mountain Avocetbill has green upperparts and greenish tail. The head has a coppery tinge. The throat and breast are whitish with dusky specks. The sides of the breast and flanks are green. The vent area may be pale or buffy. The bill is black, straight, with an upward wedge in the tip. It is similar to a female Tyrian Metaltail but is distinguished by the upward bill tip, pale and speckled throat, breast, and part of the belly.

Status: The Mountain Avocetbill is uncommon to rare at forest edges and semi-open areas of montane forests of the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2700-3200 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Colibrí Pico de Avoceta.

Sub-species: Mountain Avocetbill (Opisthoprora euryptera), Loddiges), 1832.

Meaning of Name: Opisthoprora: Gr. Opisthe= behind, backwards and prōra, prow= forepart. euryptera: Gr. Eurus= broad and pteros, pteron= winged, wing.

See more of the Family Trochilidae