UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
The Collared Inca is a large hummingbird and an extremely quick flier that generally stays below the canopy of moss-laden cloudforests. Both males and females have white outer tail feathers and large white chest patches, both in strong contrast to its otherwise dark plumage. While haunting its dark, understory habitat, its generally dark plumage keeps it well hidden, and the first sign of its presence is the flashing open of its mostly white tail. identifies itself in the forest by flashing open its mostly white tail. It prefers long, pendulous, tubular flowers, hovering underneath to feed. Unlike the majority of hummingbirds, the Collared Inca appears especially prone to join mixed species foraging flocks of passerines, at least for short periods of time. Several studies have investigated its reproductive biology, but there is much to learn about this large, flashy, Andean hummingbird.
Field Identification
The Collared Inca is a distinctive, stout hummingbird with a very long, straight bill. It is largely black above, with the lower back and rump shining dark green. Males have a small, glittering violet forecrown patch and a small white postocular spot on their otherwise black head and face. The throat is glittering, greenish black above a large and conspicuous white chest band. The lower underparts are black with a greenish sheen. The central tail feathers are greenish black, while the outer ones are white with black tips. Females are similar, but black areas replaced with dark glittering green, throat white, spotted with green disks, and chest band not quite as prominent. Below this white band they are largely gray and spotted with small green disks.
Similar Species Summary
The highly contrasting white and black (or dark green in females) plumage of the Collared Inca make it unmistakable within its range.
Plumages
Natal Down
Red-brown.
Juvenile
Immatures are apparently similar to adult female and have head feathers with buffy fringes. Hartert (1
Hartert, E. (1900). Trochilidae, 9. Lieferung. In Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeichnung der rezenten Tierformen (A. Reichenow, Editor), R. Friedländer und Sohn, Berlin, Germany.
: 131), describing a juvenile of nominate torquata, stated that the whole underside is cloudy black (“Ganze Unterseite trüb schwarz”).
Adult
Female. Head washed green lacking purple crown spot, upperparts shining golden green; chin gray with some green discs; large white collar, belly dark gray with some golden green discs; undertail coverts gray green, fringed white; tail less forked.
Male. Head black with dark purple crown spot; upperparts blackish green, becoming green on lower back, postocular spot white; chin and throat black with green discs, broad white collar, underparts blackish green, undertail coverts washed green; tail forked, inner rectrices dark golden green, others white with contrasting dark golden-green tips of varying size.
Bare Parts
Iris
Dark brown.
Bill
Bill long, straight, and black in color. Bill longer in females.
Tarsi and Toes
Pink, or light grayish pink, with black claws.
Measurements
Linear Measurements
Total length ca. 14.5 cm.
Coeligena torquata torquata (female)
Wing – mean 71.4±2.3 mm, range 66.2–78.0 mm (n = 30; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Wingspan – 143 mm (n = 1; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Tail – mean 42.2±2.3 mm, range 37.5–49.0 mm (n = 30; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Total culmen – mean 38.4±2.7 mm, range 31.8–42.0 mm (n = 30; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Exposed culmen – mean 33.0±1.5 mm, range 30.–35.8 mm (n = 30; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill depth at nares – mean 2.8±0.5 mm, range 1.7–3.6 mm (n = 31; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill width at nares – mean 2.2±0.6 mm, range 1.2–3.4 mm (n = 28; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill width at gape – mean 4.5±1.3 mm, range 2.4–7.8 mm (n = 26; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Tarsus – mean 5.9±1.0 mm, range 4.3–7.8 mm (n = 8; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Coeligena torquata torquata(male)
Total length – 13.0 cm (n = ?; 1
Hartert, E. (1900). Trochilidae, 9. Lieferung. In Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeichnung der rezenten Tierformen (A. Reichenow, Editor), R. Friedländer und Sohn, Berlin, Germany.
).
Wing – mean 75.2±4.2 mm, range 66.2–85.0 mm (n = 61; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
); 75–78 mm (n = ?; 1
Hartert, E. (1900). Trochilidae, 9. Lieferung. In Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeichnung der rezenten Tierformen (A. Reichenow, Editor), R. Friedländer und Sohn, Berlin, Germany.
).
Wingspan – 143, 186 mm (n = 2; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Tail – mean 45.0±4.8 mm, range 34.3–58.0 mm (n = 57; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
); 48 mm (n = ?; 1
Hartert, E. (1900). Trochilidae, 9. Lieferung. In Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeichnung der rezenten Tierformen (A. Reichenow, Editor), R. Friedländer und Sohn, Berlin, Germany.
).
"Bill" – 29–32 mm (n = ?; 1
Hartert, E. (1900). Trochilidae, 9. Lieferung. In Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeichnung der rezenten Tierformen (A. Reichenow, Editor), R. Friedländer und Sohn, Berlin, Germany.
).
Total culmen – mean 37.9±2.3 mm, range 31.5–42.9 mm (n = 60; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Exposed culmen – mean 32.3±1.4 mm, range 28.1–35.8 mm (n = 59; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill depth at nares – mean 2.5±0.5 mm, range 1.7–3.4 mm (n = 61; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill width at nares – mean 2.3±0.5 mm, range 1.2–3.4 mm (n = 55; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Bill width at gape – mean 4.8±1.5 mm, range 2.4–8.5 mm (n = 46; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Tarsus – mean 5.9±0.8 mm, range 4.0–7.8 mm (n = 32; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Mass
Coeligena torquata torquata
Female. Mean 6.3±1.3 g, range 4.0–10.0 g (n = 21; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Male. Mean 6.7±1.2 g, range 4.0–10.0 g (n = 49; 2
Montoya, P., M. A. Gonzalez, E. A. Tenorio, J. P. López-Ordóñez, A. P. Gómez, D. Cueva, A. A. A. Rincón, C. A. Yanes, H. M. A. Martínez, O. Armesto, J. S. Betancur, A. C. Castro, J. J. C. Leyton, E. V. Calpa-Anaguano, G. Cárdenas-Posada, M. C. Díaz, S. Chaparro-Herrera, N. Diago-Muñoz, L. F. Espinosa, L. G. G. Bernal, F. L. Gonzalez-Zapata, E. A. G. Zamora, A. M. Gutiérrez-Zuluaga, R. S. L. Jiménez, A. Lopera-Salazar, D. M. Alvarado, A. M. M. Girón, W. Medina, C. Montealegre-Talero, J. L. Parra, S. Pérez-Peña, F. R. Ramírez, J. Reyes, H. F. Rivera-Gutiérrez, Y. R. Mora, C. M. Trujillo-Torres, C. C. Vidal-Maldonado and B. Salgado-Negret (2018). A morphological database for 606 Colombian bird species. Ecology 99:1693.
).
Systematics History
In the past, up to eight subspecies of Collared Inca have been recognized (3
Cory, C. B. (1918). Catalogue of Birds of the Americas and Adjacent Islands. Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History (Zoological Series) 197, 13(2):1–315.
, 4
Peters, J. L. (1945) Check-list of birds of the world. Volume 5. Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA.
, 5
Zimmer, J.T. (1948). Two new Peruvian hummingbirds of the genus Coeligena. Auk. 65: 410-416.
). Following the recognition of distinctive plumage patterns and a molecular reevaluation of relationships within the various taxa (6
Schuchmann, K. L. (1999). Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds). Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 468–680.
, 7
del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2014). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
, 8
McGuire, J.A., C.C. Witt, J.V. Remsen, A. Corl, D.L. Rabosky, D.L. Altshuler, & R. Dudley (2014). Molecular Phylogenetics and the Diversification of Hummingbirds. Current Biology, 24, 910–916.
), we follow previous authors (7
del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2014). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
, 9
Donegan, T., A. Quevedo, J. C. Verhelst, O. Cortes-Herrera, T. Ellery, and P. Salaman (2015). Revision of the status of bird species occurring or reported in Colombia 2015, with discussion of BirdLife International's new taxonomy. Conservacion Colombiana 23:3-48.
) in recognizing three species within the Collared Inca complex. The Green Inca (Coeligena conradii) and Gould's Inca (Coeligena inca) are herein considered separate species. While del Hoyo and Collar (7
del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2014). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1. Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
) also recognized eisenmanni(“Vilcabamba Inca”) as separate species, it is maintained as a subspecies of the Collared Inca, pending further analyses.
Geographic Variation
Relatively minor. Males vary slightly more than females, largely with respect to the color of their glittering forecrown patch, which varies from green to blue, to violet.
Ornismia torquata Boissoneau, 1840, Revue Zoologique par La Société Cuvierienne, vol. 3, p. 6.—Bogota, Colombia (10
Boissonneau, A. (1840). Oiseaux nouveaux ou peu connus de Santa-Fé de Bogota. Revue Zoologique par La Société Cuvierienne 3:2–8.
).
Distribution
Andes of northwestern Venezuela (Táchira) through Colombia and eastern Ecuador to northern Peru (eastern Piura).
UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
Bourcieria fulgidigula Gould, 1854, Monograph of the Trochilidae, or family of Humming-birds, pt. 7, May, p. 4, plate 252—"Northern parts of the Peruvian Andes, including Ecuador."
Distribution
Western slope in Ecuador (south to Chimborazo).
Identification Summary
Males of fulgidigula are similar to nominate torquata, but with crown more blue, less violet, upperparts slightly lighter blackish-green, throat patch large and shining turquoise green, collar narrower, belly green. Female has upperparts glittering golden green, throat with green discs, collar narrow, belly dark gray with more green discs than in nominate.
Coeligena torquata fulgidigula
(Gould, 1854)
PROTONYM:Bourcieria fulgidigula
Gould, 1854. A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-birds pt7, pl.9,text.
TYPE LOCALITY:
'Northern parts of the Peruvian Andes, including Ecuador.'
UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
Coeligena torquata margaretae J.T. Zimmer, 1948, Auk, vol. 65, p. 411.—La Lejia, north of Chachapoyas, Peril; altitude about 9,000 feet.
Distribution
Eastern slope of Andes of northern Peru (central Amazonas to eastern La Libertad and San Martín).
Identification Summary
Male margaretae have two spots on crown separated by a black line, front spot small and bluish, hind spot greenish, mantle more blackish, throat light and greener than in fulgidigula and nominate torquata, female is similar to that of nominate and fulgidigula
Coeligena torquata margaretae
Zimmer, 1948
PROTONYM:Coeligena torquata margaretae
Zimmer, 1948. The Auk 65, p.411.
UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
Coeligena torquata eisenmanni, Weske, 1985, Ornithological Monographs, vol. 36, p. 41.—Cordillera Vilcabamba, 12°38'S, 73°36'W, elevation 2170 m, Provincia de La Convention, Departamento de Cuzco, Peru.
Distribution
Southern Peru (Cordillera Vilcabamba).
Identification Summary
Compared with insectivora, both sexes of eisenmanni have narrower white collars (not reaching onto lower throat) and bronzy (dark green) central rectrices, while male has much larger brilliant blue-green frontlet, shining dark green upper back (not velvet-black glossed green), reduced greenish to velvet-black of head, lack of glittering green throat, and more extensive white in tail. Female differs in plain rufescent throat (not buffy white with green discs), presence of blue-green frontlet and again more extensive white in the outer rectrices.
UPPERCASE: current genusUppercase first letter: generic synonym● and ● See: generic homonymslowercase: species and subspecies●: early names, variants, misspellings‡: extinct†: type speciesGr.: ancient GreekL.: Latin<: derived fromsyn: synonym of/: separates historical and modern geographic namesex: based onTL: type localityOD: original diagnosis (genus) or original description (species)
The Collared Inca is found in the Andes from northwestern Venezuela (Táchira), through Colombia and both Andean slopes in Ecuador, to southern Peru (Cordillera Vilcabamba, northern Cuzco Dept.).
Historical Changes to the Distribution
None reported.
Habitat
Understory to lower canopy of humid montane cloudforest, forest borders and occasionally in sub-páramo, mainly at 1,800–3,000 m (11
Krabbe, N., F. Skov, J. Fjeldså, and I. K. Petersen (1998). Avian Diversity in the Ecuadorian Andes - an Atlas of Distribution of Andean Forest Birds and Conservation Priorities. DIVA Technical Report 4. Center for Research on Cultural and Biological Diversity of Andean Rainforests, Rønde, Denmark.
), sometimes lower at 1,500 m; regularly down to 1,750 m in northwestern Ecuador (at feeders
) (12
Freile, J. F. (2004). Range extensions and other noteworthy and new bird records from mainland Ecuador. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 124(3):188–202.
), and at least 2,070–2,840 m in Cordillera Vilcabamba, but is commonest below 2,260 m. Across its entire range it is reported from 1,600–3,200 m. Replaced ecologically at lower altitude by the Bronzy Inca (Coeligena coeligena), though both species can occur sympatrically; for example at ca. 2,000 m in northeastern Ecuador (13
Dyrcz, A. and H. F. Greeney (2008). Observations on the breeding biology of Bronzy Inca (Coeligena coeligena) in northeastern Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical 19:565–571.
, 14
Mikusek, R., H. Greeney, A. Dyrcz, and J. A. Simbaña (2012). Breeding biology of the Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata) in eastern Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical. 23(2): 277–285.
).
Movement
Presumed sedentary, but may undertake seasonal, altitudinal movements.
Dispersal and Site Fidelity
No information.
Feeding
Generally forages on the wing, often hovering below long, pendulous flowers to insert beak upwards. Feeds by trap-lining in understory to lower middle strata, sometimes in canopy, at forest edges or within dense vegetation. Where sympatric with the Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei) it is subordinate to that species and is chased away from flowers. Catches arthropods by hawking or gleaning from foliage.
Diet
Nectar of flowering Bomarea carderi, Cavendishia pubescens, C. guatapeensis, Fuchsia, Loasa, Macrocapaea, Palicourea demissa, P. vagrans, and Vriesea.
Nutrition and Energetics
No information.
Metabolism and Temperature Regulation
No information.
Drinking, Pellet-Casting, and Defecation
Vocalizations
Vocal Array
Commonest vocalization is a squeaky chatter
. Other descriptions of their typical vocalizations include a soft, low, reedy whistle "tu-tee," a longer series of rather low-pitched piping whistles "pip..pip..pip...," an often a repeated phrase such as "tsi-tsi-tsiririt...tsi-tsi-tsiririt...," and a short "spit" or "tsit" when foraging. Excited birds give a chattering mix of whistles and soft notes (15
Hilty, S. L. (2003). Birds of Venezuela. Christopher Helm, London, UK.
) or a high-pitched see.
Nonvocal Sounds
None described.
Locomotion
Hovers frequently, while hawking insects or drinking at flowers, but capable of very fast flight.
Self-Maintenance
Preening, Head-Scratching, Stretching, Sunbathing, Bathing, Anting, etc.
Agonistic Behavior
Like many hummingbirds, is known interact aggressively with other individuals at hummingbird feeders.
Spacing
No information.
Sexual Behavior
No information.
Social and Interspecific Behavior
Unlike most hummingbirds, the Collared Inca has been reported to apparently follow mixed species flocks of insectivores and frugivores.
Predation
No information.
Phenology
November–March (Colombia); August–December (eastern Ecuador); March (central Peru) (16
Wiedenfeld, D. A. (1985). Nest of three Andean hummingbird species. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 105(4): 113-116.
).
Nest Site
Nest hidden under ferns on rock cliffs 1.5–2 m above ground, affixed to side of vertical branch.
Nest
Cup-shaped nest constructed of plant fibers and heavily decorated with yellowish-green moss and dead fern leaves on the outside, inside diameter 30 mm, outside diameter 50–56 mm, inside depth 30–35 mm (16
Wiedenfeld, D. A. (1985). Nest of three Andean hummingbird species. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 105(4): 113-116.
).
Eggs
Clutch two white eggs, size ca. 16.2–16.5 mm × 9.8–10.3 mm, fresh weight ca. 0.9 g, laid two days apart.
Incubation
Eggs incubated by female, for 18 days, hatching synchronously.
Young Birds
Chick is dark-skinned with two rows of ten pale, red-brown neossoptiles. Nestling period is 21–22 days.
Parental Care
Daily feeding rates of 1.3 to 5.2 visits/hour, evenly distributed during day, but number of visits/hour increased significantly with nestling age, but mean duration of each feed became significantly shorter with nestling age (14
Mikusek, R., H. Greeney, A. Dyrcz, and J. A. Simbaña (2012). Breeding biology of the Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata) in eastern Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical. 23(2): 277–285.
).
Demography and Populations
There have been no studies investigating the population biology of the Collared Inca.
Measures of Breeding Activity
Clutch Size
Two eggs.
Life Span and Survivorship
No information.
Disease and Body Parasites
Some bill deformities have been noted, but the cause is unknown.
Causes of Mortality
No information.
Population Status
Very common throughout much of range.
Conservation Status
Not globally threatened: Least Concern. CITES II.
Effects of Human Activity
To date no threats have been recorded, but since its habitat, humid montane cloudforest, is under heavy threat of destruction, this species could suffer in the near future. IT does not seem to take to man-made habitats or otherwise disturbed areas. Range has apparently contracted northward in western Ecuador in recent decades (17
Ridgely, R. S., and P. J. Greenfield (2001). The Birds of Ecuador. Volumes 1–2. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, New York, USA.
), although the species has recently been recorded in Azuay province (18
Bonaccorso, E., D. Arzuza, G. Buitrón-Jurado, A. L. Charpentier, M. Juiña, P. Piedrahía, and J. F. Freile (2011). Range extensions and other noteworthy bird records from the Ecuadorian Andes. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 131(4): 261–265.
).
Wild-Bird Trade
Has been imported regularly into Europe over recent decades, but rate of importation has decreased following tightening of national and international regulations; wild-bird trade does not seem to have had a severe impact on populations.
Management
Large areas of its habitat are protected, such as Munchique National Park (Colombia) and Pasochoa Forest Reserve and Podocarpus National Park (Ecuador).
Relative abundance is depicted for each season along a color gradient from a light color indicating lower relative abundance to a dark color indicating a higher relative abundance. Relative abundance is the estimated average count of individuals detected by an eBirder during a 1 hour, 1 kilometer traveling checklist at the optimal time of day for each species.
Learn moreLearn more about this data
Relative abundance is depicted for each season along a color gradient from a light color indicating lower relative abundance to a dark color indicating a higher relative abundance. Relative abundance is the estimated average count of individuals detected by an eBirder during a 1 hour, 1 kilometer traveling checklist at the optimal time of day for each species.
Learn moreLearn more about this data
Relative abundance
Year-round
0.04
0.34
0.66
Recommended Citation
del Hoyo, J., T. Züchner, N. Collar, E. de Juana, P. F. D. Boesman, and G. M. Kirwan (2022). Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata), version 2.1. In Birds of the World (B. K. Keeney, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.colinc1.02.1
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