Peruvian Sheartail

Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora)

Name Origin:
The genus Thaumastura combines Greek thauma, meaning “wonder” or “marvel,” and oura, meaning “tail,” referencing the male’s distinctive tail. The species epithet cora likely refers to the Cora people of western Mexico, though the name was applied more broadly by early naturalists.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in), male including tail
⚖️ Weight: ~2.3–2.6 g (0.08–0.09 oz)
🌎 Range: Western Peru and adjacent northern Chile
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 3,000 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Arid scrub, desert valleys, gardens, and edges of cultivated lands
🧬 Clade: Mellisugini (a.k.a. “bees”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

The Peruvian Sheartail is a striking small hummingbird of western Andean foothills and coastal valleys. Males are easily identified by their deeply forked, sickle-shaped tail and vivid iridescent gorget. Unlike many tropical hummingbirds, this species thrives in dry environments, frequenting flowering shrubs in arid canyons, gardens, and desert oases. It's active, territorial, and often conspicuous.

Male Description:
White underparts, bronzy-green upperparts, and a shimmering violet-pink gorget. Tail is long, deeply forked, and curved inward like shears. The bill is straight and black.

Female Description:
Lacks the iridescent throat and elongated tail. Buffy underparts, dark cheek stripe, green upperparts, and a shorter tail with white tips. Small and quick, females often forage lower than males.

Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits arid scrublands, dry valleys, and urban gardens with flowering plants. Forages by hovering at flowers or catching small insects midair. Males perch visibly to display and defend feeding territories, while females remain more cryptic. Often vocal with sharp, buzzy calls during chase flights.

Conservation Note:
Despite its restricted range, the Peruvian Sheartail is relatively common and adapts well to human-modified habitats. Its population appears stable, and it benefits from gardens and cultivated areas with nectar sources. Habitat loss from intensive agriculture remains a localized threat.