Black-eared Fairy
Scientific name: Heliothryx auritus
The Black-eared Fairy is a medium-sized, long-tailed hummingbird of tropical lowland forests across much of Amazonia and the Guiana Shield. The number of mature individuals is unknown, its population trend is Decreasing, and it is currently assessed as Least Concern.
At a Glance
Family: Trochilidae (hummingbirds)
Clade: Polytminae – mangoes and fairies
Genus: Heliothryx — fairies, slim long-tailed hummingbirds with bright white and iridescent green contrasts
Range: Widespread in tropical South America, mainly in the Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield, and in eastern Brazil, absent only from the southernmost cone
Habitat: Interior and edges of humid primary and tall secondary lowland forest, including terra firme and seasonally flooded forest, sometimes in clearings and along rivers
Elevation: Mostly lowlands, typically below about 400 m, locally up to around 800 m
Length: About 10–13.5 cm (4.0–5.3 in), including the long tail
Weight: Roughly 4–6 g
Number of mature individuals: Unknown
Population trend: Decreasing
Status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Name Origin
The genus name Heliothryx combines elements meaning “sun” and “hair,” likely referring to the bright, shining plumage and fine feathering of these fairies. The species name auritus means “eared,” a nod to the dark “ear” patch on the side of the head. The English name “Black-eared Fairy” highlights that facial marking together with the bird’s light, graceful, fairy-like appearance.
Subspecies & Distribution
Three subspecies are recognized:
Heliothryx auritus auritus
Occurs from southeastern Colombia and eastern Ecuador through southern Venezuela and the Guianas to northern Brazil north of the Amazon.Heliothryx auritus phainolaemus
Found in north-central Brazil south of the Amazon, especially in the region of Pará and Maranhão.Heliothryx auritus auriculatus
Ranges from eastern Peru and central Bolivia through central Brazil south of the Amazon as far east as the Tapajós River, with a separate population in eastern and southeastern Brazil from Bahia south to São Paulo and irregularly farther south.
Across these regions the Black-eared Fairy inhabits wet lowland forests, usually in the interior but also at edges, in tall secondary forest, and along forested rivers and clearings.
Ledged
Green Resident
Yellow Breeding
Blue Non-breeding
Species Overview
The Black-eared Fairy is a characteristic hummingbird of Amazonian and Guianan forests, instantly recognizable by its clean white underparts, dark ear patch, and long, contrasting tail. It is typically encountered at forest edges, light gaps, and along interior trails, where it moves quickly through the midstory and canopy. Although still fairly common in parts of its extensive range and present in several protected areas, continued deforestation and forest degradation are contributing to a gradual population decline.
Male Description
Adult males have bright, shiny green upperparts and pure white underparts, creating a bold contrast. The tail is long and pointed, with dark bluish central feathers and white outer feathers that flash in flight. The face bears a distinct dark patch below the eye and glittering purple ear coverts, giving the “black-eared” effect that names the species. The bill is short, straight, and black, and in overall impression the male looks slim, cleanly patterned, and elegant as he darts through shafts of light in the forest.
Female Description
Females resemble males in general structure and pattern but are less intensely marked. Their underparts are also white but show grayish spotting or mottling on the throat and breast, softening the contrast. The tail has more visible patterning, with dark at the base of the outer feathers before the white tips, giving a slightly banded look. Immature birds look similar to females but show additional buffy or cinnamon fringes on the upperparts, making them more muted overall.
Habitat & Behavior
Black-eared Fairies occupy the interior and edges of humid primary and tall secondary lowland forest, including terra firme and seasonally flooded forest, and sometimes forage along rivers, light gaps, and clearings. They usually feed in the midstory and canopy, though in some areas they range from understory to canopy as they track flowering plants. Their diet consists of nectar from a variety of flowers, which they obtain both by inserting the bill into the corolla and by piercing the base of flowers to access nectar. They also take small insects on the wing, sallying out from perches high in the forest, which adds an aerial hunting component to their foraging.
Population
The total number of mature individuals is not known, but within its very wide range the Black-eared Fairy is described as fairly common in some regions and rare or local in others. Its population trend is considered Decreasing, mainly due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation in Amazonian and Atlantic Forest regions. Because it occupies large areas across many countries and occurs in several reserves, the global risk remains moderate, but local declines are likely where forest clearance is intense.
Conservation
The Black-eared Fairy is listed as Least Concern thanks to its extensive distribution and presence in numerous protected forest areas, despite its decreasing trend. The main threat is deforestation driven by agriculture, ranching, logging, and infrastructure development, especially in the Amazon and southeastern Brazil. Conservation actions that safeguard large tracts of lowland forest, maintain intact forest interiors and edges, and enforce protections in key reserves will be important for sustaining populations. Continued monitoring of both forest cover and the species’ status will help ensure this graceful forest fairy remains a familiar sight in South American lowland forests.
Below is the Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus auritus)
Photographed at Village Inn Mari-Mari, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil
This individual belongs to the subspecies auritus, which occurs across the Amazon Basin from Venezuela and Colombia through northern Brazil. It inhabits humid terra firme forest, riverine forest, and canopy-edge clearings where it gleans small insects and drinks from scattered flowers.
Below is the Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus phainolaemus)
Photographed in El Dorado, São Paulo, Brazil
This individual represents the subspecies phainolaemus, which inhabits the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil from Bahia south to São Paulo. It favors humid forest canopy, edges, and secondary growth where it actively feeds on small flowers and aerial insects.
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Related species in the Heliothryx genus (2 species total):
Please note: The content provided in this article reflects Anthony’s personal experience and photographic approach. Results can vary depending on light, weather, location, equipment, subject behavior, and field conditions.