The black-backed thornbill is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia.
Region
Northern Colombia
Typical Environment
Occurs only on the slopes and summit zone of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta massif. It favors shrubby subpáramo, elfin forest edges, and high montane clearings rich in flowering shrubs (often ericaceous). Birds visit forest borders, gullies, and thickets where nectar sources are concentrated. It can also use secondary growth if adequate flowers are present, but relies on relatively intact high-elevation vegetation.
Altitude Range
2400–3800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This high-Andean hummingbird is confined to the isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. It has an unusually short, straight bill for a hummingbird and often defends dense patches of flowering shrubs. Besides nectar, it also takes tiny insects for protein. Its restricted range and specialized habitat make it highly vulnerable to habitat loss and burning of páramo and elfin-forest edges.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and males vigorously defend rich flower patches from other hummingbirds. Nesting is by the female, which builds a small cup of plant fibers and moss bound with spider silk, placed on a sheltered branch. The male does not assist in nesting or chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and tseet notes, given intermittently while foraging or from a perch. Wing hum is audible at close range and may be used in displays.
Plumage
Compact hummingbird with very short, straight bill. Male shows mostly dark, blackish upperparts with a glossy green iridescent throat and upper breast; underparts dusky with green sheen. Female is greener above with paler, buffy to grayish underparts lightly spotted or scalloped. Tail is slightly notched to shallowly forked.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from high-elevation shrubs and small trees, especially ericaceous flowers and other tubular blossoms. Supplements nectar with tiny insects and spiders captured in the air or gleaned from foliage for protein. Defends preferred nectar sources and makes repeated trapline circuits between flowering plants.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along elfin forest edges, subpáramo thickets, and openings where flowers are dense. Often uses sheltered gullies and sunlit clearings that concentrate blooming shrubs.
