From Opus

Photo by Valéry Schollaert
Near Manaus, Brazil, December 2008

Avocettula recurvirostris

[edit] Identification

9.4cm, bill 1.8cm. A hummingbird with the distinctive feature of a bill upturned at the distal end.

[edit] Distribution

Venezuela, The Guianas, and Brazil and an isolated population in Ecuador.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species, which is the only member of the genus Avocettula. Some authorities place this species in genus Anthracothorax.

[edit] Habitat

Lower tropical zone to 250m, often to 500m. Edges of primary forest and adjacent savanna; along the lower foothills of tepuis (mesas or table-topped mountains), on the sides of granite outcrops and large boulders; forests along rivers.¹

[edit] Behaviour

Forages alone, feeding by the trap-lining method from flowering bushes and trees, such as Clusia and Dioclea.¹

[edit] References

1. Robin Restall et al, 2006. Birds of Northern South America, Vols 1. Yale University Press, Newhaven and London. ISBN: 978-0-300-10862-0

[edit] External Links