Introduction
The Buff-tailed Sicklebill (Eutoxeres condamini) is a forest-dwelling hummingbird of the eastern Andes and adjacent western Amazonia. It is one of only two species in the genus Eutoxeres and is named for its strongly curved bill and buff outer tail feathers.
Physical Description
The Buff-tailed Sicklebill is a medium-sized hummingbird, measuring approximately 13–15 cm in length. Its upperparts are dull, iridescent green, while the underparts are pale greyish or whitish with dense dusky streaking. A subtle blue-green patch is often visible on the side of the neck.
The bill is long and strongly decurved, giving the bird its sickle-like profile. The three outer tail feathers on each side are deep buff or cinnamon-buff and end in broad white tips. These outer feathers are usually the most reliable field mark, particularly when the bird is seen from below or in flight.
Males and females are generally similar in appearance, and obvious sexual dimorphism is not normally reported. Immature birds tend to show less blue on the neck and paler wing markings than adults.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs along the eastern slopes of the Andes and in adjacent western Amazonian lowlands, from southern Colombia and Ecuador through Peru to north-western Bolivia. It is regarded as resident rather than migratory, although detailed information about local movements remains limited.
Buff-tailed Sicklebills inhabit humid forest undergrowth, forest edges, secondary growth and other wooded habitats where suitable flowering plants are present. They are especially associated with stands of Heliconia and other tubular flowers. The species has been recorded from lowland and foothill forests into the Andean cloud-forest zone, with published records extending to roughly 1,500 metres above sea level, although local elevation limits vary.
Two subspecies are commonly recognised: the nominate E. c. condamini in the northern part of the range and E. c. gracilis farther south. Their differences are relatively subtle, and some geographic variation appears gradual rather than sharply separated.
Where to See This Species
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, Cusco Region, Peru
The Buff-tailed Sicklebill is included on bird checklists for the Machu Picchu area, where humid montane forest, forest edges and flowering plants provide suitable habitat. It is likely to require patient searching, particularly around flowering Heliconia and other understorey plants.
Nearby accommodation: Aguas Calientes, also known as Machupicchu Pueblo, provides hotels, guest houses and other visitor accommodation for access to the sanctuary.
Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios, Peru
The species is documented on bird lists for the Tambopata region and Tambopata Research Center area. Lowland rainforest, river-edge vegetation, clearings and forest trails offer habitat where sicklebills may visit flowering plants. It is an unobtrusive species, so sightings are best approached as a specialised possibility rather than a certainty.
Nearby accommodation: Puerto Maldonado is the main gateway for lodges, guest houses, hotels and river-based rainforest accommodation.
Mirador Pico de Hoz, Cusco Region, Peru
This wildlife-viewing site has recorded Buff-tailed Sicklebill among its hummingbird visitors. The species is particularly associated with the flowering period of Heliconia, and gardens, feeders and nearby humid forest can provide useful opportunities for observation.
Nearby accommodation: The surrounding Cusco and eastern-Andes routes offer guest houses, lodges and small hotels, with Cusco serving as the principal accommodation base for many visitors.
Behaviour and Diet
Buff-tailed Sicklebills are usually solitary and spend much of their time in dense understorey vegetation. They may move rapidly between flowers, often remaining difficult to detect despite their distinctive appearance. Like other hermit hummingbirds, they are expected to follow repeated foraging routes between dependable flower sources, although the details of this behaviour are not well documented for this species.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet. The strongly curved bill allows the bird to reach nectar in pendant or curved flowers, including Heliconia and Centropogon. Small insects and other arthropods are also taken, providing an important source of protein.
Males may defend productive feeding areas, but detailed information about territorial behaviour and courtship is limited. The female is responsible for nest building, incubation and care of the young. Reported nests are small cup-shaped structures attached beneath leaves, with two white eggs. Incubation is reported to last approximately 16–18 days, and young may leave the nest about 22–24 days after hatching.
Identification Tips
Look for the following combination of features:
- A strongly curved, sickle-shaped bill.
- Dull green upperparts and pale, heavily streaked underparts.
- A faint blue-green patch on the side of the neck.
- Deep buff or cinnamon-buff outer tail feathers with broad white tips.
- A preference for dense undergrowth, forest edges and flowering plants.
The most similar species is the White-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila), the only other species in the genus. The Buff-tailed Sicklebill is best separated by its buff outer tail feathers, whereas the White-tipped Sicklebill has darker outer tail feathers with white tips. Range is also useful, because the White-tipped Sicklebill is generally distributed farther north, although the two species can occur near one another in parts of Colombia.
Conservation Status
The Buff-tailed Sicklebill is currently assessed as Least Concern. It has a broad distribution and can tolerate some disturbed habitats where flowering plants and sufficient vegetation remain.
Deforestation, forest degradation and the conversion of humid forest to agriculture or other land uses remain potential threats, particularly where habitat is fragmented or important flowering plants are removed. Maintaining connected forest, protecting Andean foothill and Amazonian habitats, and retaining native flowering vegetation are important conservation measures. Reliable population estimates and detailed trend information are limited, so the species should not be assumed to be secure at every local site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Buff-tailed Sicklebill live?
It occurs in humid forest and woodland from southern Colombia and Ecuador through Peru to north-western Bolivia, mainly along the eastern Andes and adjacent western Amazonian lowlands.
What does the Buff-tailed Sicklebill eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar from curved or tubular flowers, including Heliconia and Centropogon. It also takes small insects and other arthropods.
Why is the Buff-tailed Sicklebill’s bill curved?
The strongly decurved bill helps the bird reach nectar inside flowers with curved or pendant corollas. This shape can allow it to exploit flowers that are difficult for less specialised nectar-feeders to access.
How can the Buff-tailed Sicklebill be identified?
The key features are its curved bill, streaked pale underparts, faint blue-green neck patch and deep buff outer tail feathers with white tips.
Is the Buff-tailed Sicklebill endangered?
No. It is currently assessed as Least Concern, although habitat loss and degradation may affect local populations, especially where humid forest and flowering understorey vegetation are reduced.
References
- BirdLife International
- IOC World Bird List
- PeruBirds
Related posts
