Introduction
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird (Talaphorus chlorocercus) is a small South American hummingbird associated mainly with young river islands and early-successional vegetation in the upper Amazon Basin. It is the only recognised species in the genus Talaphorus and was formerly placed in Leucippus.
Physical Description
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird is about 10 cm long and weighs approximately 6 g. Its upperparts are metallic green, while the underparts are pale whitish with olive-green spotting across the throat and upper breast. A conspicuous white mark behind the eye helps separate it from several other small Amazonian hummingbirds.
The tail is green, with greyish markings on the outer feathers and a darker bar near the tips. Males and females are broadly similar in appearance, and there is no strongly contrasting sexual dimorphism. Juveniles resemble adults but generally have duller, more greyish-brown underparts.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs along the upper Amazon River and its major tributaries in north-western Brazil, eastern Ecuador, north-eastern Peru and extreme south-eastern Colombia. It is a lowland bird, usually recorded below 400 metres.
Unlike many hummingbirds that occupy a wide range of forest types, the Olive-spotted Hummingbird is closely associated with recently formed river islands, river margins and early-successional vegetation. It uses open shrubland, young woodland and other regenerating habitats, and may also occur in adjacent terra firme grassland or open areas. It is generally sedentary, although local dispersal may occur as river channels and vegetation change.
Where to See This Species
Yasuní National Park, Orellana Province, Ecuador
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird is documented from Yasuní National Park and the surrounding Napo River region. The best opportunities are likely to be along river margins, islands and open regenerating vegetation rather than deep, closed-canopy forest. It is a localised species, so sightings are not guaranteed even within suitable habitat.
Nearby accommodation: Coca is the main practical gateway, with river-based lodges, guest houses and hotels providing access to the park and surrounding waterways.
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador
The species is included in bird records for Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, where its preferred lowland riverine and early-successional habitats occur around waterways, islands and forest edges. Boat-based exploration with local guides offers the most realistic way to search the reserve’s river and lagoon systems.
Nearby accommodation: Nueva Loja, also known as Lago Agrio, is the principal gateway, with hotels, guest houses and river-lodge accommodation available for visits to the reserve.
Behaviour and Diet
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird is active during the day and usually forages alone. It feeds on nectar from flowering plants and supplements this diet by gleaning small insects from foliage. In this way, it obtains both energy from nectar and additional protein and nutrients from animal prey.
Like other hummingbirds, it can hover while feeding, but this species is especially notable for its association with open river-island vegetation rather than montane or cloud-forest habitats.
The breeding season is not well documented. The female builds a small cup-shaped nest from soft plant material and fibres bound with spider silk, often decorating the exterior with lichen. A typical clutch contains two eggs. The female incubates them for about 14 to 15 days, and the young leave the nest approximately 20 days after hatching.
Identification Tips
Look for a small, relatively plain green hummingbird in low, open vegetation along Amazonian rivers and river islands. The most useful field marks are:
- Metallic green upperparts.
- Pale underparts with olive-green spotting on the throat and upper breast.
- A noticeable white mark behind the eye.
- A green tail with greyish markings on the outer feathers.
- A darker bar near the ends of the outer tail feathers.
The combination of olive spotting, pale underparts and river-island habitat is more useful for identification than overall colour, particularly because several Amazonian hummingbirds appear predominantly green in poor light. The species may also be encountered under the former scientific name Leucippus chlorocercus in older bird lists and site records.
Conservation Status
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird is currently classified as Least Concern. Its population size and trend have not been reliably quantified, and it is considered uncommon to locally fairly common depending on the river system.
There is no evidence that it is currently facing a major range-wide threat, but its specialised habitat can be affected by the clearing, burning and agricultural occupation of river islands and other areas of early succession. Protecting Amazonian river corridors, maintaining natural flood dynamics and conserving regenerating island vegetation are important measures for the species and the wider riverine ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Olive-spotted Hummingbird found?
It is found in the upper Amazon Basin, including north-western Brazil, eastern Ecuador, north-eastern Peru and extreme south-eastern Colombia.
What habitat does the Olive-spotted Hummingbird prefer?
It mainly inhabits young river islands, river margins, open shrubland and early-successional vegetation. It may also use open areas on nearby mainland terra firme.
How large is the Olive-spotted Hummingbird?
It is approximately 10 cm long and weighs about 6 g.
What does the Olive-spotted Hummingbird eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar, supplemented by small insects collected from foliage.
Is the Olive-spotted Hummingbird migratory?
It is generally sedentary, although individuals may make local movements or dispersal along river systems as habitat conditions change.
What is the conservation status of this species?
The Olive-spotted Hummingbird is classified as Least Concern. Its population trend is not known, but local habitat loss on river islands may affect some populations.
References
- BirdLife International
- Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Avibase
Related posts
