Perijá Metaltail
Perijá Metaltail (Metallura iracunda)
Name Origin:
The genus Metallura combines Latin metallum, meaning “metal,” and ura, referring to “tail,” describing the species’ iridescent, metallic tail feathers. The species name venezuelensis denotes its presence in Venezuela.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 9–10.5 cm (3.5–4.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~4.2 g (0.15 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to the Serranía del Perijá, along the Colombia–Venezuela border
🧭 Elevation: 2,600–3,500 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Montane elfin forest, páramo edges, and shrubby highland slopes
🧬 Clade: Lesbiini (a.k.a. “coquettes)
📊 Status: Endangered (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.
Species Overview
The Perijá Metaltail is a high-elevation hummingbird restricted to the remote Serranía del Perijá range along the Colombia–Venezuela border. Its small range and isolated habitat make it one of the least known Metallura species. Males are bronzy green with a glittering bluish gorget and a forked, metallic bluish tail. It often perches low and unobtrusively, flaring its gorget when agitated or displaying.
Male Description:
Bronze-green body, iridescent bluish-violet gorget, slightly forked blue-metallic tail, and dark gray underparts. Short, straight black bill and white undertail coverts.
Female Description:
Similar to male but lacks the bold gorget, with duller bronze-green tones and slightly paler underparts.
Habitat & Behavior:
Confined to shrubby páramo and elfin forest margins, especially in windswept ridges and mossy slopes. Typically forages close to the ground, visiting low flowering shrubs. Uses rapid, direct flight to move between feeding areas. Infrequently vocal and easily overlooked, but becomes conspicuous when defending flower patches. Highly sedentary due to its range isolation.
Conservation Note:
Classified as Endangered due to its extremely limited range and habitat loss from agricultural expansion and forest clearing. Much of its known population resides in poorly protected or difficult-to-access areas. Long-term survival depends on preservation of páramo and montane forest within the Perijá range.
only the female was photographed and this one frame and video
