Plate 004 · feeding at tree tobacco flowers IdentificationFive marks on the plate
- 1Long forked tail, glowing coppery red.
- 2Black tips on every tail feather.
- 3Green back turning purple, coppery towards the rump.
- 4Glittering green throat in the male.
- 5Short straight black bill, and a white spot behind the eye.
Easily confused with Female Red-tailed CometSappho sparganurusShorter tail and a white throat spotted green. Andean HillstarOreotrochilus estellaHigher, in the puna. Short tail, green throat over a white breast. 004 / 100 · BIRDS · TROCHILIDAELEAST CONCERN Red-tailed Comet
Sappho sparganurus
Picaflor cometa
The male carries a forked red tail almost as long as its body. It flashes like copper in the sun as it crosses the valley. It is common in alder woods, ravines and high-country gardens such as those of Tafí del Valle.
- Length (male)
- c. 18 – 20 cm with tail
- Tail (male)
- c. 11 cm
- Altitude
- c. 1,500 – 3,500 m
- Habitat
- Dry woodland, scrub, gardens
- Nectar feeder
- Pollinator
- Fiery tail
- High valleys
Altitude rangeA hummingbird of the high valleys
Usual range Lives at the upper edge of the forest, in alder woods, dry ravines and high scrub. In winter some move down to milder areas.
FoodNectar from tubular flowers
- Tree tobaccoNicotiana glauca · yellow flowers
- Native tubular flowersvalley shrubs and herbs
- Small insectscaught on the wing · protein
- Spiderstaken from webs
As it feeds it picks up pollen on its forehead and carries it from flower to flower.
BehaviourSmall and territorial
- Guards its flowers. Chases other hummingbirds away from its plants.
- Hovering flight. Holds itself in the air in front of the flower while feeding.
- Cup nest. The female builds a cup of moss and fibres, often under a rock ledge or eave.
Where to look in Tucumán- Tafí del Valle (RP 307)
- El Mollar
- Los Ñuñorcos
- PN Aconquija
- Cuesta del Clavillo