The long-tailed sylph is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in montane cloud forests and forest edges from Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to northern Bolivia. It uses second-growth, roadsides, and gardens where flowering shrubs are abundant. Birds often forage along forest gaps, ravines, and riparian corridors rich in epiphytes. It tends to follow flowering events, moving locally to track nectar availability.
Altitude Range
1200–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males have extremely long, iridescent tail streamers that can exceed their body length and are used in courtship displays. This hummingbird frequents Andean cloud forest edges and gardens, often visiting tubular flowers like Fuchsia. It is generally non-migratory but may shift elevation seasonally following blooms. Despite its flashy appearance, it remains fairly common across much of its range.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Largely solitary outside breeding and fiercely defends rich nectar sources. Courtship involves males displaying their long tail streamers to females. Nests are tiny cup-shaped structures placed on horizontal branches or in protected forks; the female alone incubates and raises the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident with local elevational movements
Song Description
Gives high, thin chips and rapid twitters, often delivered from a perch near flowering shrubs. Wing hum is audible at close range and can accompany chattering sequences.
Plumage
Male shimmering emerald to golden-green with very long, iridescent blue-violet tail streamers; female greener above with whitish underparts washed buff on sides and a shorter, more graduated tail.
Diet
Primarily nectar from tubular and pendant flowers such as Fuchsia and various Ericaceae and bromeliads. It supplements nectar with small arthropods, hawking them in short sallies or gleaning from foliage. Insects provide essential proteins during breeding. It may trapline between a circuit of favored blooms.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and gardens with abundant flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Often selects mid-level to canopy heights, but will descend to feed at ornamental plantings.
