Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Common name: Fork-tailed Woodnymph
Scientific name: Thalurania furcata
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds

Fork-tailed Woodnymphs are 9.5 to 12.9 cm (3.7 to 5.1 in) long and weigh 3.6 to 6 g (0.13 to 0.21 oz).

In humid forests, tall second-growth, shaded plantations, or gardens, these solitary hummingbirds spend most of their time. Their favorite food is usually low-growing flowers, especially those in the Rubiaceae family. Male hummingbirds defend flower patches aggressively, while females usually trapline and steal nectar from other hummingbirds' floral territories. A forked tail and dark coloration distinguish males. In contrast to Gray-breasted Sabrewings (Campylopterus largipennis), females have a light gray underside but lack white tail corners.

13 subspecies:

1. T. f. refulgens
   Distribution NE Venezuela (E from NE Anzoátegui); reports from Trinidad erroneous.

2. T. f. furcata
   Distribution extreme E Venezuela, the Guianas and NE Brazil (N of Amazon in Pará and Amapá).

3. T. f. fissilis
   Distribution E Venezuela and adjacent extreme W Guyana and N Brazil (N Roraima).

4. T. f. orenocensis
   Distribution southern Venezuela (upper Orinoco region in Amazonas)

5. T. f.nigrofasciata
   Distribution E Colombia (Guainía), NW Brazil (upper R Negro) and extreme S Venezuela (SW Amazonas).

6. T. f. viridipectus
   Distribution E foothills of Andes and adjacent lowlands of E Colombia, E Ecuador and NE Peru (N of R Marañón).

7. T. f. jelskii
   Distribution most of E Peru and adjacent W Brazil.

8. T. f. simoni
   Distribution upper Amazon region (S of Amazon, W of R Tefé) in extreme E Peru and W Brazil.

9. T. f. balzani
   Distribution NC Brazil (S of Amazon, E to R Tapajós).

10. T. f. furcatoides
    Distribution lower Amazon region of E Brazil (S of Amazon, E from R Tapajós).

11. T. f. boliviana
    Distribution Andean foothills and adjacent lowlands of SE Peru (from E Pasco) to EC Bolivia (W Santa Cruz).

12. T. f. baeri
    Distribution NE and C Brazil (Ceará S to Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás) to S Bolivia and NW and NC Argentina.

13. T. f. eriphile
    Distribution SE Brazil (S Bahia to Paraná), adjacent Paraguay and NE Argentina (Misiones).

taken in Brazil

taken in Peru