White-tufted Sunbeam Aglaeactis castelnaudii Scientific name definitions

The White-tufted Sunbeam gets its name from the notable tufts of white feathers on its chest. Also notable is its copper tail and the magenta coloring on the lower back and rump. These sunbeams are found only in parts of Peru where they inhabit drier parts of evergreen montane forests, intermontane valleys, open shrub, and glades is semi-dry forests. Usually, these hummingbirds perch conspicuously on high dead twigs, but where they overlap with Shining Sunbeams (Aglaeactis cupripennis), they are more reclusive and instead perch on low branches in dense bushes.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

• Shining x White-tufted Sunbeam (hybrid) Aglaeactis cupripennis x castelnaudii

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Calls include a repeated “tzit” and during chases a twittering series, “titi-tsreet-tsreet-tsreet” or similar. Also a thin, high-pitched and fruiteater (Pipreola)-like downslurred drawn-out “seeeuuu”.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. CITES II. Restricted-range species: present in Peruvian High Andes EBA. Common at very few sites. It was, however, the most abundant species at three sites in the Cordillera Vilcanota (1 Lloyd, H. (2008). Abundance and patterns of rarity of Polylepis birds in the Cordillera Vilcanota, southern Perú: implications for habitat management strategies. Bird Conservation International. 18(2): 164–180. Close ). Although its habitat has been destroyed in much of Huancavelica and Ayacucho, and in Cuzco species has become restricted to Cordilleras Vilcanota and Vilcabamba, many suitable patches of habitat remain in Apurímac. Occurs in the small Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.