Violet-throated Metaltail
Metallura baroni
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusMetallura (Metaltails)
- SpeciesMetallura baroni (Violet-throated Metaltail)
About the Violet-throated Metaltail
The violet-throated metaltail (Metallura baroni), locally called metalura gorjivioleta, is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Ecuador. The violet-throated metaltail is monotypic. At one time it was treated as a subspecies of what is now the fiery-throated metaltail (Metallura odomae). The species name commemorates the collector Oscar Theodor Brown.
The violet-throated metaltail is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long. Males weigh 4.3 to 4.5 g (0.15 to 0.16 oz) and females 3.9 to 5 g (0.14 to 0.18 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male has dark olive green upper- and underparts. Its gorget is purple-violet. Its slightly forked tail is iridescent violaceous sky blue on its upper side and glittering yellow-green on its underside. The adult female's upperparts are also dark olive green. Its throat is a duller version of the male's and its breast, and belly are whitish gray spotted with olive green. Its outer tail feathers have whitish tips on their underside. Juveniles are similar to adult females.
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Recent sightings of Violet-throated Metaltail in Cajas National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cajas National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Violet-throated Metaltail in Cajas National Park?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Violet-throated Metaltail sighting in Cajas National Park, based on 434 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Violet-throated Metaltail in Cajas National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Violet-throated Metaltail in Cajas National Park in our monthly data.