Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)
Name Origin:
The genus Eupetomena combines the Greek eu meaning “good” or “well” and petomenos meaning “flying,” referring to its strong flight. The species name macroura means “long tail” in Greek, a clear reference to its strikingly long and forked tail.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.5–8.5 g (0.23–0.30 oz)
🌎 Range: Central and eastern South America, mainly Brazil, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Cerrado, savannas, forest edges, gardens, and disturbed areas
🧬 Clade: Trochilini – “Emeralds”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Five subspecies:
Eupetomena macroura macroura
Distribution: Suriname and north, central, and southeast Brazil to Paraguay and extreme northeast Argentina.Eupetomena macroura simoni
Distribution: Northeastern Brazil (south Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Pernambuco, Bahia to central Goiás and Minas Gerais).Eupetomena macroura cyanoviridis
Distribution: Southeastern Brazil (Serra do Mar, eastern São Paulo).Eupetomena macroura hirundo
Distribution: Southeast Peru (upper Urubamba Valley, Cuzco).Eupetomena macroura boliviana
Distribution: Southeast Peru (Pampas del Heath) and northern Bolivia (La Paz, Beni).
Species Overview
The Swallow-tailed Hummingbird is one of the largest hummingbirds in its range. Its namesake tail is long and deeply forked, and its iridescent plumage varies from blue to green to violet depending on angle and subspecies. Common in gardens, parks, and open areas, it is bold and aggressive, often dominating flower patches and feeders.
Male Description:
Glossy green to bluish-green body, with violet-blue head and upper breast in many populations. Long, deeply forked tail and a straight black bill.
Female Description:
Similar to the male but slightly smaller and often duller in iridescence.
Habitat & Behavior:
Thrives in open and semi-open areas, from the cerrado and savannas to forest edges, urban gardens, and parks. It is highly territorial, vocal, and aggressive when feeding. Known for fast, agile flight and bold behavior.
Conservation Note:
The species is common and widespread across much of Brazil and adjacent countries. Its ability to adapt to human-altered habitats helps buffer it against the loss of native vegetation. No major conservation concerns at present.
Below is the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura simoni)
Photographed at Boa Nova – Lajedo dos Beija-Flores, Bahia; Jardim dos Beija-Flores, Brasília, Distrito Federal; and Minas Gerais, Brazil
These individuals belong to the subspecies simoni, which occurs across northeastern Brazil, including southern Maranhão, Piauí, Bahia, Pernambuco, central Goiás, Distrito Federal, and Minas Gerais. Slightly paler and more bluish in tone than other populations, simoni inhabits drier open woodlands, savannas, and urban parks, where it is highly territorial and aggressive around feeders.
Below is the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura cyanoviridis)
Photographed at Pousada da Fazenda, Monte Alegre do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil
This individual belongs to the subspecies cyanoviridis, which is restricted to the Serra do Mar region of southeastern Brazil, specifically eastern São Paulo. Compared to other populations, this form may show deeper green and blue iridescence. It frequents humid forest edge and adjacent gardens, often seen perching conspicuously or chasing intruders from favored flower patches.
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