Rufous-vented Whitetip (Urosticte ruficrissa)

Order: Apodiformes | Family: Trochilidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

rufous-vented_whitetip
Age: Adult & Immature| Sex: Male & Immature Male? | Loc. Alto Nieva, S. Martin

rufous-vented_whitetip
Age: Sub-adult | Sex: Males | Loc. Alto Nieva, S. Martin

rufous-vented_whitetip
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Alto Nieva, S. Martin

rufous-vented_whitetip
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Alto Nieva, S. Martin

Identification & Behavior: ~10 cm (4 in). The male Rufous-vented Whitetip is all green with a green iridescent gorget. The tail is forked with white dots on the tip of the central feathers. Some males have a purple patch on the throat. This very rare plumage has only been reported a few time (Schulemberg et al).  The females are green above and white with green specks below.  The white tips on the tail are unique in a hummingbird. The female is very similar to the female Booted Racket-Tail, but is distinguished by larger size, and white vent and thighs. Also, see the female Violet-fronted Brilliant.

Status: The Rufous-vented Whitetip is uncommon to rare in the understory of humid montane forests on the east slope of the northern Andes at elevations ranging between 1350-2200 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Colibrí de Subcaudales Rufas.

Sub-species: Rufous-vented Whitetip (Urosticte ruficrissa), Lawrence, 1864.

Meaning of Name: Urosticte:  Gr. Oura=  tail and stiktos=  spotted. ruficrissa: L. rufus= red and crissum= vent.

See more of the Family Trochilidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
rufous-vented whitetipVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 08/01/2015.