Long-billed Starthroat
Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)
Name Origin:
The genus Heliomaster is derived from Greek, meaning “sun seeker,” referencing its iridescent plumage and habit of foraging in sunlit clearings. The species name longirostris means “long-billed” in Latin, describing its notably extended bill.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 11–13 cm (4.3–5.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: 5–6 g
🌎 Range: Southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America, including Trinidad
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 1,500 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Forest edge, open woodland, and clearings with tall flowering trees
🧬 Clade: Lampornithini “Mountain-gems”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Three subspecies:
Heliomaster longirostris pallidiceps
Distribution: Southern Mexico to Nicaragua.Heliomaster longirostris longirostris
Distribution: Costa Rica through Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and Trinidad.Heliomaster longirostris albicrissa
Distribution: Western Ecuador and northwestern Peru.
Species Overview
The Long-billed Starthroat is a large and slender hummingbird with a straight, elongated bill and shimmering plumage. Males feature a bright blue-green crown, violet gorget, and a square white-tipped tail. It is typically found in semi-open habitats like forest edges, clearings, and second growth, where it feeds at tall flowering trees. This species uses a loose trap-line strategy to visit nectar sources and occasionally perches conspicuously in between feeding bouts.
Male Description:
Metallic green upperparts, glittering blue-green crown, violet throat patch (gorget), dark facial skin, and a broad white postocular stripe. Tail is dark with white-tipped outer feathers and square in shape. Bill is long and straight.
Female Description:
Similar in structure but lacks the full violet gorget. Crown is duller, and underparts are paler overall.
Habitat & Behavior:
Favors forest edge, tall second growth, clearings, plantations, and semi-open areas with flowering trees. Forages at medium to high levels for nectar and captures insects in the air. Unlike territorial hummingbirds, it often follows a loose trap-lining route. Frequently perches in exposed spots. Nests are cup-shaped and built on horizontal limbs.
Conservation Note:
The Long-billed Starthroat remains widespread and stable across much of its range, although habitat degradation could impact local populations. Its adaptability to second growth and open edges gives it resilience, but continued loss of tall flowering trees and forest connectivity may reduce availability of key feeding and nesting sites.
Below is the Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris pallidiceps)
Photographed at Atoyac de Álvarez, Guerrero, Mexico
These individuals belong to the subspecies pallidiceps, found from southern Mexico to Nicaragua. Compared to other subspecies, pallidiceps has a paler crown and slightly reduced gorget iridescence. It occupies humid forest edge and clearings in low to mid elevations.
Below is the Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris longirostris)
Photographed at Yerette Home of the Hummingbird, Tunapuna-Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies longirostris, which occurs from Costa Rica east through northern South America and into Trinidad. This form shows a bright blue-green crown and broad violet gorget, with more saturated color compared to northern populations.
Below is the Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris longirostris)
Photographed at Hummingbirds Tayrona, Magdalena, Colombia
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies longirostris, which occurs from Costa Rica east through northern South America and into Trinidad. This form shows a bright blue-green crown and broad violet gorget, with more saturated color compared to northern populations.
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