description Purple-backed sunbeam Overview
The purple-backed sunbeam is a small hummingbird species found exclusively in the upper reaches of the Marañón River basin of northern Peru. Described initially by Osbert Salvin in 1896, it’s notable for its distinctive iridescent purple plumage on its back and flanks. This extant hummingbird represents a unique population within the broader hummingbird family and is primarily studied by ornithologists and conservationists working to understand and protect vulnerable species within South American ecosystems.
help Purple-backed sunbeam FAQ
Where can the purple-backed sunbeam be found in the wild?
The purple-backed sunbeam is endemic to northern Peru and has a very restricted range in the upper Marañón region. Birders generally seek it in high-elevation scrub and forest-edge habitat rather than lowland rainforest.
What is the scientific name of the purple-backed sunbeam?
Its scientific name is Aglaeactis aliciae. Osbert Salvin described the species in 1896, and it belongs to a small Andean genus commonly called sunbeams.
How can the purple-backed sunbeam be distinguished from other sunbeams?
Its defining field mark is the iridescent violet-purple patch across the lower back and rump, which can look dark until light catches it. It also has the long, slightly curved bill and generally dark appearance typical of Aglaeactis hummingbirds.
Why is the purple-backed sunbeam considered threatened?
Its tiny Peruvian range makes it especially vulnerable to habitat loss from agriculture, burning and land conversion. Protecting remaining highland scrub and associated flowering plants is therefore more important for this species than for widespread Andean hummingbirds.
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