The dot-eared coquette (Lophornis gouldii) is a small hummingbird found in tropical South America. With an average body length of only 6-7 cm and weighing just 3-4 grams, it is one of the smallest hummingbirds in the world. Despite its tiny size, the dot-eared coquette exhibits brilliant, iridescent colors and remarkable agility in flight.
Description
The most distinctive feature of the dot-eared coquette is the bright white spot behind each eye, which gives the appearance of white “ear patches”. The upperparts and crown are metallic green, turning golden-bronze on the rump. The undertail coverts are white. The throat is brilliant emerald green bordered by a narrow white malar stripe. The color then grades into a pale grayish chest. The belly is whitish with green flanks. The tail is blackish with the outer rectrices tipped white. The bill is short and straight. Females are similar to males but less vibrantly colored.
Taxonomy
The dot-eared coquette is placed in the hummingbird family Trochilidae and the subfamily Trochilinae. It is one of roughly 140 species in the genus Lophornis. Its species name gouldii honors the famous English ornithologist John Gould who first described the bird in 1846. No subspecies are recognized.
Distribution and Habitat
The dot-eared coquette has a wide distribution across tropical South America east of the Andes. Its range extends from Venezuela and the Guianas south to Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. It occurs in various forest and woodland habitats including tropical evergreen forests, gallery forests, savannas, and the edges of plantations.
Diet and Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, the dot-eared coquette feeds on nectar taken from a variety of colorful, tubular flowers. It prefers flowers with a relatively long corolla to match its moderately long, curved bill. Some favorite nectar sources include shrubs and small trees like hamelia, poinsettia, malvaviscus, and coral vine. The bird supplements its diet with small insects like flies, beetles, and spiders captured in flight. It may also visit sap flows or fruit for additional nutrients. The coquette uses its tubular tongue to lap up nectar while hovering in front of flowers.
Behavior and Breeding
The dot-eared coquette is solitary and territorial, aggressively defending rich flower patches and nectar resources. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying rapidly back and forth to attract females. During these displays, the iridescent crown and throat feathers are flared out for maximum visual impact.
Nesting occurs in the wet season from March to August in much of its range. The tiny cup-shaped nest is constructed of plant down bound with spider webs on a thin twig, tree fern, or palm frond. Typical clutch size is two tiny white eggs. Incubation lasts 15-19 days. The chicks hatch with closed eyes and little to no down. Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings with regurgitated food. The young fledge at about 18-23 days after hatching.
Threats and Conservation
Widespread destruction of tropical forests poses the greatest threat to the dot-eared coquette, but its ability to utilize some degraded habitats helps it adapt. The IUCN Red List classifies the species as Least Concern. Exact population numbers are uncertain but the coquette remains locally common throughout much of its range. Maintaining networks of protected forest areas will be crucial for long-term survival of the species.
Fun Facts
– The dot-eared coquette has one of the shortest incubation periods of any bird, hatching in just 15-16 days.
– It can beat its wings up to 70 times per second, enabling precision hovering and sudden acceleration.
– The species is able to enter a torpid state at night to conserve energy. Body temperature drops from 40°C to 18°C.
– A unique muscular structure allows the coquette to rotate its head almost 180 degrees to gain a panoramic view.
– The vibrant green and white plumage of males serves as camouflage amidst foliage when displaying for females.
In summary, the dot-eared coquette is a diminutive but dazzling hummingbird adapted to the forests and woodlands of South America. Its tiny size, brilliant iridescent colors, and remarkable flying abilities make it a unique component of Neotropical ecosystems. Maintaining habitat protections will allow this species to continue lighting up its tropical realm.