description Tooth-billed hummingbird Overview
The tooth-billed hummingbird is a hummingbird of humid forests in Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador and the only species placed in the genus Androdon. It is named for the fine tooth-like serrations along its long, nearly straight bill, an unusual feature among hummingbirds. The species occupies lowland and foothill forest in the Choco region, where it takes nectar from flowers and supplements its diet with small arthropods.
help Tooth-billed hummingbird FAQ
Why is it called the tooth-billed hummingbird?
It gets its name from the small, tooth-like serrations found on the edges of its long, slightly decurved bill. These unique structures are not actually teeth but rather specialized adaptations of the beak.
What genus does the tooth-billed hummingbird belong to?
The tooth-billed hummingbird is the sole living member of its specific genus, Androdon. This taxonomic uniqueness makes it a distinct and highly studied branch within the hummingbird evolutionary tree.
Where can the tooth-billed hummingbird be found in the wild?
This elusive bird is native to the Choco forest region, specifically found in Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. It prefers to live in the dense, mossy understory of humid, tropical lowland and foothill forests.
How does the tooth-billed hummingbird's bill help it survive?
Its specialized, serrated bill is perfectly adapted for prying open the base of specialized flowers to access nectar that other birds cannot easily reach. It also uses these bill serrations to actively hunt and capture small insects and spiders from leaves and bark.
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