The White-throated Hummingbird (*Leucochloris albicollis*) is a dazzling gem of South America’s Atlantic Forest, easily recognized by its namesake brilliant white throat that starkly contrasts with its shimmering emerald-green back and crown. This medium-sized hummingbird boasts a slightly curved, black-tipped red bill, and its underparts are a soft, pale gray, while the tail feathers flash white tips in flight. A unique special feature is its remarkably loud, metallic chirp and its aggressive territorial behavior, often chasing away much larger birds from flowering plants. Beyond its beauty, it plays a vital role as a pollinator, with a particular affinity for the tubular blossoms of bromeliads and *Eucalyptus* trees, using its specialized tongue to extract nectar with astonishing precision.

Faits amusants

Despite its name, the white-throated hummingbird has a surprising quirk: males perform a dramatic, J-shaped dive during courtship, producing a loud, metallic *zip* sound with their tail feathers at the bottom of the arc, a noise unrelated to their vocalizations. They also exhibit a unique feeding adaptation—their tongue tips are fringed and split, allowing them to lap up nectar at an astonishing 13 to 17 licks per second. Furthermore, they are known to aggressively guard their favorite flowers, even chasing off insects and birds much larger than themselves, including hawks that wander too close to their territory.

Habitats et répartition

The White-throated Hummingbird inhabits a variety of semi-open and forest-edge environments, including secondary forests, clearings, plantations, gardens, and parks, typically from lowlands up to mid-elevations. It avoids the interior of dense, primary forests, preferring areas with abundant flowering shrubs and trees. Its geographical range is restricted to southeastern South America, occurring primarily in eastern and southern Brazil, from Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul, extending into eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay.

Comportements & Reproduction

Males are highly territorial, defending feeding areas and performing aerial displays to attract females, but they do not participate in raising young. Mating is brief, with the female solely constructing a small cup nest from plant down and spider silk, often placed on a low branch or fern. She lays two white eggs and incubates them for about 14–16 days, then feeds the chicks regurgitated nectar and insects for roughly three weeks until fledging. A unique strategy is the female’s ability to delay egg-laying during poor weather or food scarcity, ensuring chicks hatch when resources are abundant. There is no pair bond; males mate with multiple females within their territory, while females may nest twice in a season if conditions allow.

Alimentation

The White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis) primarily feeds on nectar from a wide variety of tubular flowers, using its long, extendable tongue to lap up the sugary liquid. An interesting fact about its diet is that it is highly opportunistic and will also consume small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein and amino acids, particularly during the breeding season. Unlike many hummingbirds that aggressively defend a single territory, this species often engages in "trap-lining," visiting a regular circuit of specific flowers in a predictable sequence to maximize energy efficiency. Additionally, it has been observed drinking tree sap from sapsucker drill holes, supplementing its nectar intake when floral resources are scarce.

Couleurs

The White-throated Hummingbird has a bright emerald green back and crown, contrasting with a pure white throat, breast, and belly. Its tail is dark, forked, and edged with white tips, while a small white postocular spot sits behind each eye. The iridescent green feathers can appear dull in low light, offering minimal camouflage against dense foliage, but the bold white underparts create a stark, attention-grabbing pattern rather than concealment.