Black-backed Thornbill
Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale)
Name Origin:
The genus name Ramphomicron combines the Greek rhamphos meaning “bill” and mikron meaning “small,” describing its short, needle-like bill. The species name dorsale comes from dorsum, Latin for “back,” referring to the bird’s dark metallic upperparts that distinguish it from other thornbills.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: 3.5–4 g (0.12–0.14 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, northern Colombia
🧭 Elevation: 2,000–3,600 m (6,560–11,810 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Montane and elfin forest, shrubby páramo, and forest edges
🧬 Clade: Lesbiini "Coquettes" and high-Andean hummingbirds
📊 Status: Endangered (IUCN)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic species with no recognized subspecies.
Distribution: Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. Found between 2,000 and 3,600 meters, inhabiting humid montane forest, elfin woodland, and high-elevation shrub zones near the treeline.
Species Overview
The Black-backed Thornbill is one of Colombia’s most restricted and remarkable hummingbirds. Known for its dark metallic back and glittering throat, it inhabits the isolated peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Adapted to cold, windswept habitats, it is a vital pollinator of high-elevation plants such as Puya and Espeletia.
Male Description:
The male has dark bronzy-green upperparts, appearing nearly black in certain light, and a brilliant emerald-green gorget that extends to the upper chest. The underparts are grayish with a green wash, and the tail is short, forked, and dark purple. The bill is short and straight, adapted to high-altitude flowers.
Female Description:
The female is paler, with green upperparts, grayish underparts lightly speckled with green, and a rounded tail tipped in pale gray. Her plumage is less iridescent but maintains the same dark-backed appearance that gives the species its name.
Habitat & Behavior:
Restricted to high-elevation montane and elfin forests, the Black-backed Thornbill feeds mainly on nectar from shrubs, bromeliads, and Puya species, as well as small insects. It perches frequently, conserving energy in the cool mountain air. Males are territorial and may chase other hummingbirds from flowering areas, especially during the wet season when blooms are most abundant.
Conservation Note:
The Black-backed Thornbill is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Its population is believed to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals, confined entirely to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Primary threats include deforestation, agricultural expansion, and climate change affecting high-elevation habitats. Conservation priorities include the protection of montane forests and páramo zones, as well as habitat restoration through local community conservation programs.
Below is a juvenile male.
