The slender sheartail is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico (primarily Chiapas) through Guatemala, El Salvador, and western Honduras, mostly on the Pacific slope. It uses pine–oak and dry to semi-humid montane forest edges, scrub, and second growth, as well as flowering hedgerows and shade coffee. The species favors areas with a steady supply of tubular flowers and can be found in gardens and clearings. It is typically local and patchy, following bloom cycles.
Altitude Range
700–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny hummingbird of the bee-hummingbird tribe Mellisugini, the slender sheartail is best known for the male’s remarkably long, filamentous outer tail feathers. It frequents flowering shrubs and trees, often defending rich nectar sources with surprising vigor. Females build small cup nests from plant down and spider silk, camouflaged with lichens. Though generally local, it adapts well to disturbed edges and coffee plantations where flowers are abundant.
Male
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, visiting flowering shrubs and trees and vigorously defending prime nectar sources. Courtship involves hovering displays and tail fanning by males near favored blossoms. Nests are tiny cups of plant fibers bound with spider silk, placed on horizontal branches or in forks. Clutches typically contain two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid twitters given during foraging and territorial chases. Wingbuzz is audible at close range, especially during display flights.
Plumage
Iridescent green to bronze-green upperparts with whitish underparts and light buffy flanks; texture sleek and glossy. Males show extremely long, narrow outer tail feathers forming slender streamers. Females have shorter, more rounded tails with pale tips and lack the male’s elongated streamers.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from tubular flowers such as Salvia and other blooming shrubs and trees. Supplements diet with small insects and spiders captured by hawking or gleaning to obtain protein. Follows flowering cycles and may shift locally to track blooms.
Preferred Environment
Forest edges, scrub, gardens, and shade plantations with abundant flowering plants. Often visits hedgerows and sunny clearings where nectar sources are concentrated.
