The Neblina metaltail (Metallura odomi) is a small hummingbird native to a remote mountainous region of southern Venezuela and adjacent parts of Brazil. This striking hummingbird has metallic green upperparts and a deeply forked tail. The male has a glittering violet-blue throat. The female has a relatively dull white throat. The Neblina metaltail is found only in cloud forest and elfin forest at elevations between 1800-2900 m in the Neblina massif mountains along the Venezuela-Brazil border.
Description
The Neblina metaltail is a tiny hummingbird, measuring only 7-8 cm in length and weighing around 3-4 grams. As its name suggests, it has metallic green upperparts which glitter in the sunlight. The most distinctive feature of this species is the deeply forked tail. The tail of the male has elongated outer tail feathers that can measure up to 4 cm in length. In the sunlight, the tail appears to sparkle a bright iridescent blue-violet. The male has a brilliant metallic violet-blue gorget (throat patch). The underparts are greyish white. Females are similar but have white underparts and lack the bright throat patch, instead having white dotted with grey on the throat. The elongated tail feathers are also slightly shorter in the female.
Discovery and Taxonomy
The Neblina metaltail is a relatively recently discovered species, first documented by scientists in the mid 1970s. It is named for the remote Neblina massif where it resides. The specific epithet, odomi, is a dedication to the American ornithologist James Odom who collected the first specimens of the bird. Initially there was some discussion over whether it was a subspecies of the merida metaltail, but it is now classified as its own distinct species – Metallura odomi. Its common name refers to its metallic green sheen.
Habitat and Ecology
The Neblina metaltail inhabits cloud forests and elfin forests at elevations between 1800-2900 meters. It prefers forests dense with epiphytes and mosses, and with an abundance of flowering plants. Individuals or pairs maintain feeding territories but may gather at particularly productive flowering trees and shrubs.
This species feeds on nectar taken from flowers using its specialized long bill and tongue. It also forages for small arthropods. Common flower species visited include genera such as Cavendishia, Hemiangium, Centropogon. The long tail feathers of the male are thought to play a role in courtship displays to females.
Little is known about its breeding behavior but it likely builds a small cup nest on a tree branch, like related hummingbird species.
Conservation Status and Threats
The Neblina metaltail has an extremely limited range, being found only in a remote mountainous region. Much of its cloud forest habitat has already been affected by farming, logging and mining activities. The species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its small and fragmented range and declining population. Total numbers are estimated between 250-999 mature individuals.
Proposed conservation actions include strengthening protection of its mountain habitat and creating ecological corridors between isolated fragments of suitable habitat. Tracking nesting success and monitoring population trends are also important to understand this rare species’ viability. Some ecotourism activities could raise awareness but most habitat is too remote for this to be significant. On-going protection of protected areas like the Neblina National Park will be vital for the Neblina metaltail’s survival.
In summary, the brilliant Neblina metaltail is a tropical mountain gem restricted to a small corner of South America. Ensuring this specialized cloud forest hummingbird has adequate habitat is crucial so future generations can continue admiring its sparkling violet and emerald plumage. The fate of the Neblina metaltail is intimately tied to the cloud forests that it calls home, which harbor rich biodiversity worth protecting for their own sake.