Marvelous Spatuletail

Deep in the cloud forests of Peru, a rare and extraordinary bird flutters – the Marvellous Spatuletail.

At first glance, the most striking feature of the Marvellous Spatuletail, a type of hummingbird, is its magnificent tail. The male of this species has four elongated tail feathers, with the outermost two ending in large, spoon-shaped discs. This remarkable tail plays a vital role in the bird's courtship displays, where the male performs acrobatic aerial moves to attract a mate. The rest of its body is equally impressive, with shimmering blue-green feathers covering its back and a white throat with a small, purplish-black patch.

The Marvellous Spatuletail is endemic to a small area in northern Peru, where it inhabits humid montane forest habitat. This limited range makes it one of the rarest and most sought-after sightings for birdwatchers who visit the area.

Like most other hummingbirds, the Marvellous Spatuletail feeds primarily on nectar. It uses its long, slender beak to sip nectar from a variety of flowers, and in doing so, plays an essential role in pollination. Occasionally, it also consumes small insects, which provide necessary protein.

The Marvellous Spatuletail is considered to be an endangered species. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, their numbers are declining, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.