Mexican Woodnymph Eupherusa ridgwayi Scientific name definitions

The northernmost representative of the genus Thalurania is confined to western Mexico, where it occupies a comparatively small range in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, and Colima. It is considered globally Vulnerable by BirdLife International on account of its apparent dependence on the steadily shrinking forest habitats available to it. However, rather little is known concerning the species’ life history and precise habitat requirements. In terms of its plumage, the Mexican Woodnymph is broadly similar to other Thalurania. Males are mainly green, albeit slightly duller below, with a violet-blue forehead patch, and bluish-black, slightly forked tail, whilst females are green above with a darker tail and wings, and largely grayish underparts, with a small whitish post-ocular spot.

Pacific slope of Mexico in S Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima.

Only known vocalization an irregularly repeated liquid note “tsip”, often in short fast series of 2–4 notes producing a liquid rattle, usually given while hovering.

VULNERABLE. CITES II. Restricted-range species: present in North-west Mexican Slope EBA. Rare to locally common. Frequently recorded at Puerto Los Mazos, on lower slope of Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco/Colima); also occurs in other protected areas e.g. Cerro San Juan Biosphere Reserve (Nayarit) and Nevados de Colima National Park (Jalisco/Colima). Although exact habitat requirements have not been documented, species is probably bound to forest habitats, which are under severe threat of destruction, though some suitable areas remain intact. Without more precise knowledge of ecological requirements, conservation planning is barely feasible; further investigation into life history urgently required.