- Where are my wings?
Beija flor de rabo branco acanelado/ Plateau hermit (Phaethornis pretrei) is a species of bird in the Trochilidae family.
One of the largest Brazilian hummingbird species (15 cm), it stands out for having a long tail, with each feather ending in a white tip, contrasting with the black center.
The beak is long and slightly curved downwards. Throat, underparts and upper-coverts of tail uniform tan color.
It feeds mainly on carbohydrates, obtained through the nectar of flowers, but also eats small arthropods.
In the mating season, between August and November, to attract the attention of the females, the male opens his beak and displays his mouth, tongue and jaw, parts that have a bright color that draws attention. It also displays the expanded fan-shaped tail. The prenuptial flight consists of a lengthy pursuit of the female, both hooting, performed at a low altitude within dense forest.
Its nest has an elongated conical shape, made of soft material such as kapok and plant debris that is accumulated in a thick layer of material, fixed with cobwebs and saliva (hummingbirds are one of the few birds with expressive salivary glands). To catch the cobwebs, it goes through the places with the greatest possibility of encounters, including eaves and inside houses.
The nest is suspended on the inner side of the leaves of palm trees, ferns, heliconias, etc., on thin roots hanging down under shady ravines.
It is also common to be affixed under human constructions, such as eaves of roofs, chandeliers inside homes, structures covering water wells, over bridges, etc. It lays two elongated eggs, with an incubation period ranging from 12 to 15 days. Chicks leave the nest after three weeks.
Inquisitive and not fearful, it enters homes and approaches short distances, stopping abruptly and suddenly close to the observer's face.
*The head is in focus. The wings in frenetic movement did not allow me to capture the body properly.
- Where are my wings?
Beija flor de rabo branco acanelado/ Plateau hermit (Phaethornis pretrei) is a species of bird in the Trochilidae family.
One of the largest Brazilian hummingbird species (15 cm), it stands out for having a long tail, with each feather ending in a white tip, contrasting with the black center.
The beak is long and slightly curved downwards. Throat, underparts and upper-coverts of tail uniform tan color.
It feeds mainly on carbohydrates, obtained through the nectar of flowers, but also eats small arthropods.
In the mating season, between August and November, to attract the attention of the females, the male opens his beak and displays his mouth, tongue and jaw, parts that have a bright color that draws attention. It also displays the expanded fan-shaped tail. The prenuptial flight consists of a lengthy pursuit of the female, both hooting, performed at a low altitude within dense forest.
Its nest has an elongated conical shape, made of soft material such as kapok and plant debris that is accumulated in a thick layer of material, fixed with cobwebs and saliva (hummingbirds are one of the few birds with expressive salivary glands). To catch the cobwebs, it goes through the places with the greatest possibility of encounters, including eaves and inside houses.
The nest is suspended on the inner side of the leaves of palm trees, ferns, heliconias, etc., on thin roots hanging down under shady ravines.
It is also common to be affixed under human constructions, such as eaves of roofs, chandeliers inside homes, structures covering water wells, over bridges, etc. It lays two elongated eggs, with an incubation period ranging from 12 to 15 days. Chicks leave the nest after three weeks.
Inquisitive and not fearful, it enters homes and approaches short distances, stopping abruptly and suddenly close to the observer's face.
*The head is in focus. The wings in frenetic movement did not allow me to capture the body properly.