Violet-tailed Sylph

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Aglaiocercus coelestis
• Spanish Name: Silfo colivioleta
• Family: Trochilidae
• Known Nicknames: Violet-tailed Sylph
• Average Length: Males: 18–21 cm (7–8.3 in), Females: 9.5–10 cm (3.7–3.9 in)
• Average Weight: 4.6–5.5 g / 0.16–0.19 oz
• Wingspan: Approx. 10–12 cm / 4–4.7 in
• Key Feature: Extremely long, deeply forked, iridescent violet-blue tail in males
• Primary Diet: Nectarivore (Nectar and small invertebrates)
• Range: Andean slopes of Colombia and Ecuador (Chocó region)
• Habitat: Humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges
• Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
• Nesting/Breeding: Domed moss nests attached to branches or twigs
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Population Trend: Decreasing

The Violet-tailed Sylph (*Aglaiocercus coelestis*) is a breathtakingly beautiful hummingbird native to the lush, high-elevation cloud forests of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. This species is celebrated for its extreme sexual dimorphism, most notably the male's spectacular, deeply forked tail, which can reach up to five inches in length—more than double his body length—and shimmers in iridescent shades of violet, deep blue, and green. In stark contrast, the female is much smaller with a short tail, featuring a glittering green crown and a warm, buff-colored breast. Despite the aerodynamic handicap of the male's extravagant plumage, these agile flyers navigate dense undergrowth with astonishing speed and precision, hovering effortlessly as they feed on nectar and small insects. This combination of dramatic morphology, vibrant coloration, and aerial mastery makes the Violet-tailed Sylph one of the most mesmerizing jewels of the South American rainforest.

Faits amusants

The male Violet-tailed Sylph sports a spectacular, iridescent violet-blue tail that can be over double his actual body length, a dazzling ornament that is so heavy it acts as an aerodynamic handicap, making flight incredibly energy-demanding. To cope with this gorgeous baggage, males often ditch the classic hummingbird hover, choosing instead to cling directly to flowers while feeding or flying in a distinct, jerky, undulating pattern. Despite this physical burden, these tiny show-offs are fiercely territorial and will aggressively dive-bomb birds many times their size to defend their favorite nectar patches.

Habitats et répartition

The geographical range of this species is confined to the Pacific slopes of the Andes in northwestern South America, spanning from western Colombia to western Ecuador. It is particularly associated with the Chocó biogeographic region, where it typically occurs at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,100 meters above sea level. Within this distribution, it primarily inhabits wet, humid montane forests and cloud forests. It is commonly found along forest edges, in canopy openings, and in dense second-growth woodlands, as well as adjacent shrubby clearings and gardens that offer abundant nectar sources.

Comportements & Reproduction

Highly solitary and aggressively territorial, this species maintains strict feeding territories, with males actively defending rich nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Outside of brief encounters for breeding, individuals lead independent lives. During the mating season, males practice polygyny, attempting to attract multiple partners through spectacular aerial courtship displays that showcase their extraordinarily long, glittering violet-blue tail feathers. Once attraction is successful, the male plays no further role in the reproductive process. The female bears sole responsibility for nesting and offspring care; she constructs a bulky, dome-shaped nest with a side entrance, woven from moss and spider silk, and secures it among hanging vegetation. Within this protected structure, she incubates a typical clutch of two white eggs and raises the chicks entirely on her own.

Alimentation

The Violet-tailed Sylph feeds primarily on nectar obtained from a wide variety of flowering plants, particularly favoring those in the families Ericaceae and Bromeliaceae, which it supplements with small insects and spiders to obtain essential protein. To sustain its incredibly high metabolism, this hummingbird must consume more than its own body weight in nectar daily, hovering effortlessly or clinging to petals as it feeds. An interesting aspect of its foraging behavior is its strategy of "nectar robbing," where it uses its sharp bill to pierce the base of long, tubular flowers to steal nectar that it cannot otherwise reach. Furthermore, the species exhibits distinct dietary niches based on sex; the males, burdened by their spectacularly long, heavy tails, are less maneuverable and tend to aggressively defend specific nectar-rich territories in the canopy, while the more agile, shorter-tailed females forage more widely across different heights, including the forest understory, and rely more heavily on catching insects mid-air.

Couleurs

The male Violet-tailed Sylph boasts a glittering metallic green body and a spectacular, extremely long, deeply forked tail of iridescent violet-blue. Females are more understated, featuring shorter tails, green upperparts, a blue crown, and buff-colored underparts. Their shimmering green plumage provides excellent camouflage, blending seamlessly into the dense, sun-dappled foliage of their cloud forest habitat.

Charger plus