Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird

Guatemala

Jul 17

Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird (Tilmatura dupontii)

Name Origin:
The genus Tilmatura has uncertain etymology but may derive from Nahuatl or a Latinized form referencing "sparkling" or "flashing" qualities. The species name dupontii honors French naturalist Marc Athanase Parfait Œillet des Murs' patron, possibly from the Du Pont family, known supporters of scientific expeditions.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in), including tail
⚖️ Weight: ~2.5–3.2 g (0.09–0.11 oz)
🌎 Range: Southern Mexico (Oaxaca and Chiapas) through Guatemala and Honduras to El Salvador
🧭 Elevation: 600–2,400 m (2,000–7,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar from flowering trees and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Dry to semi-humid open woodlands, scrubby hillsides, and pine-oak forest
🧬 Clade: Mellisugini (“Bees”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

The Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird is a striking and diminutive species found in upland woodlands of Mesoamerica. Its name refers to its bright coloration and elongated outer tail feathers that flash with iridescence in flight. Though typically inconspicuous when perched, males dazzle with brilliant gorgets and active foraging behavior in open habitats.

Male Description:
Shining emerald-green head and back, with a glittering violet throat. Flanks are greenish, and the belly is whitish. The most notable feature is its long, deeply forked tail with broad, black-tipped outer feathers that shimmer as it hovers.

Female Description:
Much duller than the male, with pale gray underparts and reduced throat iridescence. Tail is shorter and less deeply forked, with white tips visible in flight.

Habitat & Behavior:
Often found in arid to semi-humid forests, forest edges, and clearings with flowering vegetation. Males may perch conspicuously and defend small feeding territories, especially in flowering trees. Feeds on nectar and small insects, often hovering near low to mid-level blossoms. Vocalizations include soft high-pitched chips or trills.

Conservation Note:
The Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird is listed as Least Concern, with a relatively stable population across its patchy but broad range. It tolerates some habitat disturbance and is regularly observed in edge habitats and second-growth. However, habitat loss from agriculture and logging may cause local declines in parts of its range, especially in higher elevation pine-oak forests.