Introduction
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes leucurus) is a South American hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It occurs mainly in humid forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, where it forages in the shaded understorey, forest edges and seasonally flooded woodland. Despite its name, it is not a Central American species. (worldbirdnames.org)
Physical Description
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat is a medium-sized hermit hummingbird, generally about 10–13 cm long. It has bronze-green upperparts, a dark ear and throat area, a pale malar stripe and greyish to warm-buff underparts. The tail is dark overall, with paler tones or markings on the outer feathers that can be noticeable in good light.
The bill is nearly straight compared with the strongly curved bills of some other hermit hummingbirds. The sexes are broadly similar, although females may have a slightly more decurved bill and less contrast between the throat, breast and belly. Juveniles resemble adults but may show paler or ochre edging on the feathers. (en.wikipedia.org)
Range and Habitat
The species is distributed across much of the Amazon Basin and adjacent parts of the Orinoco Basin. Its range extends from eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador and eastern Peru through northern Bolivia, Venezuela, the Guianas and large parts of Brazil. Several geographic forms are recognised, and plumage varies across the range.
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat is primarily associated with humid lowland and foothill forest. It may also occur in gallery forest, várzea, igapó, forest clearings, edges and other semi-open habitats where suitable flowering plants are available. It is generally regarded as a resident species rather than a long-distance migrant, although local movements may occur in response to food availability. Records extend to approximately 1,800 metres in parts of the eastern Andes. (avibase.bsc-eoc.org)
Where to See This Species
Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios, Peru
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat is documented in the bird checklist for Tambopata National Reserve. It is considered an uncommon species there, so observers should concentrate on humid forest, forest margins and flowering plants along established trails, particularly in the lowland rainforest around the reserve. (exoticbirding.com)
Nearby accommodation: Puerto Maldonado is the main gateway, with rainforest lodges, guesthouses, hotels and camps providing access to the reserve.
Manu National Park, Madre de Dios and Cusco, Peru
The species is included on the Manu National Park bird list and has been recorded in the park’s lowland rainforest. It is most likely to be encountered in suitable forest and edge habitat along accessible trails and lodge areas, although it is not usually one of the more conspicuous hummingbirds. (amazonbirding.com)
Nearby accommodation: Visitors commonly use rainforest lodges and camps in the Manu region, with additional guesthouses and hotels available in gateway settlements along the route from Cusco.
Behaviour and Diet
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat is usually encountered alone and spends much of its time in shaded vegetation. Like other hermit hummingbirds, it can hover while taking nectar, but it also often feeds while perched or moving between flowers. Its flight is rapid and direct, allowing it to manoeuvre through dense understorey vegetation.
Nectar forms an important part of its diet. The species also takes small insects and spiders, which provide protein and other nutrients, especially during periods of breeding and chick-rearing. Its visits to tubular flowers may contribute to pollination, although the importance of this role varies with the plant species and local habitat.
Breeding information is limited and the nesting season varies geographically. The nest is a small cup made from plant fibres and spider silk, often decorated with plant material and attached to the underside or tip of a drooping leaf, including palm foliage. The female alone incubates the white eggs and cares for the young. Exact incubation and fledging periods are not sufficiently consistent across sources to state confidently for the species as a whole. (en.wikipedia.org)
Identification Tips
- Look for a small to medium-sized hermit hummingbird with bronze-green upperparts and relatively subdued plumage.
- The dark ear and throat area contrasts with a pale malar stripe and greyish or warm-buff underparts.
- The tail is dark but may show paler outer feathers or pale areas when viewed from below or during flight.
- The bill is fairly straight, not strongly downcurved.
- Search shaded forest understorey, forest edges, gallery forest and flowering plants rather than exposed canopy gaps.
- In the western part of its range, compare it carefully with the Band-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes ruckeri), which has a more distinct contrasting tail pattern and a different distribution. The Sooty Barbthroat (Threnetes niger) is another potential comparison in parts of the Guianas and northern Brazil, but its darker overall appearance and geographic distribution help separate it.
Conservation Status
The Pale-tailed Barbthroat is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its very large distribution and occurrence in numerous protected areas reduce the likelihood of an immediate global extinction risk, although the population size has not been quantified precisely.
Deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging and fragmentation remain potential local threats, particularly where lowland forest is cleared or degraded. Protecting large areas of Amazonian and Orinoco forest, maintaining forest corridors and conserving flowering plants within protected landscapes are important measures for the species and the wider hummingbird community. (device.report)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can the Pale-tailed Barbthroat be found?
It is found across much of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and Brazil.
Is the Pale-tailed Barbthroat a migratory bird?
It is generally considered resident across its range. Local movements may occur, but it is not known for long-distance seasonal migration.
What habitat does the Pale-tailed Barbthroat prefer?
It favours humid lowland and foothill forest, including forest edges, gallery forest, várzea, igapó and other areas with dense vegetation and flowering plants.
What does the Pale-tailed Barbthroat eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders. Animal prey is particularly important as a source of protein.
How can the Pale-tailed Barbthroat be identified?
Look for a bronze-green hermit hummingbird with a dark ear and throat area, a pale malar stripe, muted greyish underparts and a dark tail with paler outer markings. Its bill is relatively straight.
Is the Pale-tailed Barbthroat endangered?
No. It is currently classified as Least Concern, although continued forest loss and habitat fragmentation may affect local populations.
References
- International Ornithologists’ Union, IOC World Bird List
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds of the World
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