Slender Sheartail

The slender sheartail, a member of the "bee hummingbirds" tribe Mellisugini, is a diminutive and exquisite avian species. Males typically measure between 11 to 12.5 cm in length and tip the scales at approximately 2.3 grams. Females, slightly more petite, range from 8 to 9 cm and weigh around 2.6 grams. Both sexes boast a long, decurved, black bill and a distinctive white spot behind the eye, adding to their delicate charm.

Identification Tips

To identify the male slender sheartail, look for its iridescent green head, upperparts, and flanks, complemented by a striking pinkish-purple gorget. Its chest and belly center are a pristine white, while its deeply forked tail is notably elongated, with the central feathers green and the others a dark hue. The female, on the other hand, displays green upperparts and cinnamon-buff underparts, with a less pronounced fork in her shorter tail. Her tail feathers are a mix of green, cinnamon, black banding, and white tips, with a blackish eye stripe adding to her allure.

Habitat

This species thrives in semi-open landscapes, including forest clearings, woodlands, secondary forests, and scrublands. It is well-adapted to life in the mountains and interior valleys, where it can be found flitting about in its preferred elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters.

Distribution

The slender sheartail graces the skies from the southern reaches of Mexico's Chiapas through Guatemala and northeastern El Salvador, extending into Honduras.

Behaviour

The slender sheartail is generally a sedentary bird, though it may exhibit seasonal fluctuations in local abundance. Males are known to hold their tails nearly vertical when feeding on nectar, while females display a charming wag, opening and closing their tails in a rhythmic dance.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of the slender sheartail is somewhat of a mystery, with few recordings capturing its voice. However, observers have noted it emits "fairly hard, rapid chips" while perched or in the midst of feeding.

Breeding

Breeding activities have been observed in October within Chiapas, but much of the slender sheartail's breeding behavior remains shrouded in secrecy.

Diet and Feeding

With a diet consisting of nectar and small arthropods, the slender sheartail is an agile forager, navigating from the ground to the middle strata of vegetation with grace and precision.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the slender sheartail as Least Concern, with an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature individuals. Despite this seemingly secure status, the population is on a downward trend, primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion. The species is considered rare to locally common within its range.