Green-fronted Lancebill

About the Green-fronted Lancebill

The green-fronted lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. Primarily known for its incredibly long bill and "glittering" green patch of feathers on its forehead, D. ludovicae is found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forest and prefers regions that include fast moving rivers and streams.

The green-fronted lancebill is generally known by its species name Doryfera ludovicae but has been divided into the two subspecies D. ludovicae ludovicae and D. ludovicae veraguensis due to variation in geographic distribution.

Originally placed in Phaethornithinae due its nest, recent examination of the genus has found it to be included in the "mango group" defined as including Androdon, Anthracothorax, Chrysolampis, Colibri, Doryfera, Eulampis, Heliactin, Heliothryx, Polytmus, and Schistes.

The most recent research has found evidence to suggest that Doryfera can be further refined into a monophyletic group consisting of three genera Doryfera, Schistes and, Colibri. The green-fronted lancebill, as the name suggests, is distinguished by a "glittering" green patch of feathers on their forehead. Between males and females... Wikipedia →