Adult male © Yve Morrell eBird S61649879 Macaulay Library ML 189197111
Adult male © Dušan Brinkhuizen
Adult male © Lynne Hertzog
Adult female © John Nolley
Adult female © Knut Hansen

Santa Marta Woodstar Chaetocercus astreans

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Identification

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Tiny bumblebee-like hummingbird found only in and around Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains, where it is the only woodstar. Usually encountered in cloud forest at moderate elevations, but occasionally wanders down to near sea level. Note the white spots next to the rump, which is typical of woodstars. Adult male has a glittering magenta throat patch bordered by white and a spiky tail. Female has a black mask and a tawny belly. Young males look like females but with blotching on the throat. Often seen resting on bare branches at the very top of a tall tree. Regularly seen in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve, though only rarely visits the feeders.

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