The long-billed starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Mexico, Central America, Trinidad, and all but the four southernmost countries of South America.
Region
Neotropics
Typical Environment
Occurs from western and southern Mexico through Central America, on Trinidad, and widely across northern and central South America. It favors semi-open habitats including forest edges, clearings, second growth, riparian corridors, and cultivated areas with flowering shrubs and trees. The species also visits gardens and plantations where nectar sources are abundant. It is generally uncommon to fairly common depending on local flower availability and can make short seasonal movements following blooms.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This hummingbird’s exceptionally long, straight bill lets it reach nectar in long-tubed flowers that many other species cannot exploit. It often forages at forest edges and gardens and is known to defend rich flower patches aggressively. Males perform swift, looping display flights near favored perches. Despite the common name group “starthroat,” females lack the male’s vivid throat iridescence.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
rapid hovering with swift darts between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary outside of breeding, defending rich flower patches from other hummingbirds. Nest is a small cup of plant down and spider silk placed on a horizontal branch or in a fork. Males do not assist with nesting or chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of thin, high chips and short metallic tinks given from exposed perches. Wing hum is audible at close range, and calls intensify during territorial chases.
Plumage
Bronzy-green upperparts with gray to grayish-white underparts; males show a striking iridescent violet to amethyst throat patch. A clean white stripe runs behind the eye and along the side of the neck, contrasting with darker face. Tail appears dark with rufous tones at the bases, especially visible in flight.
Diet
Takes nectar from a wide variety of tubular and brushy flowers, including native shrubs, vines, and epiphytes. Frequently supplements nectar with small arthropods such as gnats and spiders, which provide essential proteins. It may hawk insects in short sallies from a perch or glean them from foliage. Bill length allows use of deep corollas that exclude many other hummingbirds.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, in second-growth thickets, gardens, and flowering trees in open woodland. Often uses perches with good visibility near dense flower clusters, and may visit feeders in some areas.
