Black-breasted hillstar

The black-breasted hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in scrub at altitudes of 3,500 to 4,400 metres (11,500 to 14,400 ft) in the Andes of central Peru. Unlike the other hillstars, the tail, chest and belly of the male black-breasted hillstar are almost entirely black (with a bright green throat).[2] The females are more bronze and grey-ish brown.[2] This species shares a lot of common traits with the Andean hillstar but does not have a white base on its tail.[2]

Two males in a plate from A monograph of the Trochilidæ, or family of humming-birds.

Black-breasted hillstar
O. melanogaster observed in Peru

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Oreotrochilus
Species:
O. melanogaster
Binomial name
Oreotrochilus melanogaster
Gould, 1847
Distribution in Peru (green)

Nests tend to be constructed around February–March below a rocky surface, contrast to plant based nests of most hummingbirds.[2][3] They have been known to take shelter in house roofs too as a substitute for rocks.[2] Its diet consists of nectar from plants such as the Chuquiragua spinosa but it can also hunt for arthropods.[3]

Its voice is a quick squeaky twittering during chase but is not well known otherwise.[3]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Oreotrochilus melanogaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Black-breasted Hillstar - Introduction | Neotropical Birds Online". neotropical.birds.cornell.edu. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  3. "Black-breasted Hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 26 May 2019.


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