Viridian Metaltail
Metallura williami
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusMetallura (Metaltails)
- SpeciesMetallura williami (Viridian Metaltail)
About the Viridian Metaltail
The viridian metaltail (Metallura williami) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. The viridian metaltail has these four recognized subspecies:
M. w. recisa Wetmore, 1970 M. w. williami (Delattre & Bourcier), 1846 M. w. primolina Bourcier, 1853 M. w. atrigularis Salvin, 1893 Subspecies M. w. primolina and M. w. atrigularis were at one time each treated as separate species but since at least the mid 20th century have been considered subspecies. However, in the early 21st century atrigularis was again suggested as a possible separate species.
The viridian metaltail is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 4.1 to 5.3 g (0.14 to 0.19 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male of the nominate subspecies has bottle green upper- and underparts. Its gorget is glittering bottle green and it has a purplish blue, slightly forked, tail. The adult female's upperparts are also bottle green. Its throat, breast, and belly are mottled green and white and its outer tail feathers have whitish tips on their underside. Juveniles are similar to... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Viridian Metaltail in Puracé National Natural Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Puracé National Natural Park
Tyrian Metaltail
Metallura tyrianthina
Sparkling Violetear
Colibri coruscans
Green-tailed Trainbearer
Lesbia nuna
Red-billed Emerald
Chlorostilbon gibsoni
Speckled Hummingbird
Adelomyia melanogenys
Tourmaline Sunangel
Heliangelus exortis
Long-tailed Sylph
Aglaiocercus kingii
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Coeligena lutetiae
White-bellied Woodstar
Chaetocercus mulsant
Collared Inca
Coeligena torquata
Shining Sunbeam
Aglaeactis cupripennis
Bronzy Inca
Coeligena coeligena
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 2 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 3 | Cajas National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Viridian Metaltail in Puracé National Natural Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Viridian Metaltail sighting in Puracé National Natural Park, based on 152 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Viridian Metaltail in Puracé National Natural Park?
May has the highest sighting rate for Viridian Metaltail in Puracé National Natural Park in our monthly data.