Speckled Hummingbird

Adelomyia melanogenys

Cali Valle Del Cauca Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Adelomyia melanogenys
  • Spanish Name: Colibrí jaspeado
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: N/A
  • Average Length: 8.1–9.1 cm / 3.2–3.6 in
  • Average Weight: 3.8–4.5 g / 0.13–0.16 oz
  • Wingspan: 10.2–12.1 cm / 4.0–4.8 in
  • Key Feature: Pale buff underparts with dense dusky spotting and a distinctive dark cheek patch bordered by a white stripe
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore and Insectivore
  • Range: Andean mountains from Venezuela and Colombia to Bolivia and Northwest Argentina
  • Habitat: Humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges
  • Social Structure: Solitary and territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Cup nests made of moss and spiderwebs attached to mossy branches or rock ledges
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Speckled Hummingbird (*Adelomyia melanogenys*) is a charming and distinctive inhabitant of the humid Andean forests, easily recognized by its unique facial markings and delicate, earthy plumage. Measuring approximately eight centimeters in length, this small bird features a bronzy-green back and pale, buffy underparts that are heavily adorned with the dusky spots from which it draws its name. Its most striking diagnostic feature is a prominent dark "ear" patch, contrasted sharply by a pale streak behind the eye, giving it a masked and inquisitive appearance. Unlike many of its more iridescent relatives, the Speckled Hummingbird possesses a subtle beauty and is known for its active foraging behavior at lower forest levels, where it expertly hovers to sip nectar or darts through the air to snatch small insects.

Faits amusants

The Speckled Hummingbird is the only member of its genus and is known for its "lazy" feeding style, as it frequently perches on flowers to conserve energy instead of hovering like most of its relatives. It possesses a distinctive dark facial patch that resembles a bandit mask, adding to its quirky appearance. These birds are also architectural rebels, often building their mossy nests in unusual locations like the underside of bridges or rocky ledges near waterfalls, using the damp environment to keep their eggs perfectly hydrated.

Habitats et répartition

This species is widely distributed throughout the Andean mountain system in South America, ranging from Venezuela and Colombia southward through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. It is typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters, though it occasionally reaches altitudes of up to 3,000 meters. Its presence is most notable along both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes, where it remains a relatively common resident. The primary habitats for this hummingbird are humid montane forests, cloud forests, and dense second-growth woodlands. It tends to stay within the lower and middle layers of the forest, often frequenting forest edges, shaded clearings, and thick undergrowth. In addition to primary forests, it can be found in disturbed environments such as bushy gardens, plantations, and older secondary forests, provided there is adequate moisture and floral diversity.

Comportements & Reproduction

This species exhibits a primarily solitary and territorial social structure, aggressively defending nectar-rich floral patches against both conspecifics and other nectar-feeding competitors. During the breeding season, they follow a polygynous mating system where males do not form long-term bonds with females or provide parental care. Instead, males focus on attracting multiple mates through vocalizations and territorial displays, leaving all subsequent reproductive responsibilities to the females. The female is solely responsible for constructing the cup-shaped nest, which is intricately woven from moss, liverworts, and spider silk to provide both insulation and camouflage. These nests are often strategically placed on mossy banks or near waterfalls to benefit from high humidity and protection from predators. She typically lays two eggs and manages the incubation and feeding of the chicks alone, utilizing a reproductive strategy that relies on cryptic nesting sites and high maternal investment to ensure the survival of the offspring.

Alimentation

The Speckled Hummingbird primarily sustains itself on a diet of floral nectar supplemented by small invertebrates. It frequently visits a variety of flowering plants, including those in the genera Lobelia, Fuchsia, and Palicourea, often following a traplining strategy where it patrols a specific route of floral resources throughout the day. An interesting aspect of its feeding behavior is its flexibility as both a legitimate pollinator and a nectar robber; it occasionally pierces the base of long-tubed flowers to access nectar that its relatively short bill cannot otherwise reach. To meet its essential protein requirements, this hummingbird also engages in hawking to catch tiny insects in mid-air or gleans spiders and small arthropods directly from the undersides of leaves.

Couleurs

The Speckled Hummingbird features metallic bronze-green upperparts and pale buff underparts heavily flecked with dusky green spots. Its most distinctive markings are a dark blackish ear patch bordered by a white stripe behind the eye and a pale streak along the jaw. The tail is bronzy-green with prominent buff-colored tips on the outer feathers, providing effective camouflage within the shaded understory of Andean forests.