Tyrian Metaltail

Metallura tyrianthina
Mountains
Rainforest

The Tyrian Metaltail is a small hummingbird belonging to the Trochilidae family. It has a short and straight bill and is often found in the temperate zone of the Andes, from Venezuela to Bolivia. The bird is usually dark green on its upper parts and brownish below, with a bright green throat. Females are more buff-colored below than males. The species can be identified by its dark metallic-maroon tail, which is blue in birds found in the Santa Marta Mountains of Colombia. The bird is commonly seen in forests and edges and is known to visit feeders. It is a species that can be observed during our tours to the Manu National Park.

Photo: Alfredo Cornejo