description Violet-tailed sylph Overview
The violet-tailed sylph is a small hummingbird species native to Colombia and Ecuador. It’s notable for the vibrant violet coloration of the male’s tail feathers, a characteristic detailed by John Gould in his 1861 description. This hummingbird is primarily found within the Chocó region of South America and is of interest to ornithologists studying Neotropical bird diversity and those tracking extant hummingbird populations.
help Violet-tailed sylph FAQ
Where can I see a violet-tailed sylph in the wild?
The violet-tailed sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) inhabits cloud forests along the Pacific slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. Productive birding areas include reserves around Mindo and the Tandayapa Valley in northwestern Ecuador.
Does the female violet-tailed sylph have the same long tail as the male?
No, the female lacks the male's signature elongated violet tail and instead has a noticeably shorter tail with greenish-blue tips. Females also differ in having white underparts spotted with green, compared to the male's iridescent green and violet plumage.
How long is the male violet-tailed sylph's tail?
The male violet-tailed sylph's outer tail feathers are remarkably elongated and iridescent violet-blue, contributing significantly to its overall length. Including the tail, the male can measure approximately 18 to 20 centimeters, with the tail itself accounting for a large portion of that measurement.
Who first described the violet-tailed sylph scientifically?
The violet-tailed sylph was described by the English ornithologist John Gould in 1861. Gould was famous for his lavishly illustrated works on birds, including his multi-volume monograph on hummingbirds, which documented many previously unknown species.
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