Natural History of Ecuador's Mainland Avifauna (NHEMA).

a project of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group
Popelairia langsdorffi, Black-bellied Thorntail

Family Trochilidae, Order Apodiformes
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This page was created by Paul R. Martin and Rudolphe A. Gelis in 2005. It is updated periodically and should be cited in the manner outlined on the NHEMA species list page.

Abstract:

The Black-bellied Thorntail is a poorly known, presumably rare, canopy hummingbird of the Amazonian lowlands. Nests are known from a canopy tower at Sani Lodge, where they nest in different parts of the same Ceiba tree year after year (Domingo Gualinga, pers. comm.).

Relevant publications:

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal. (eds.) 1999. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5. Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Ecuadorian breeding dates:

DATE

LOCATION

STAGE

SOURCE of data

Sani Lodge Tower, 220 m, Ecuador

R.A. Gelis unpubl.

3 August 2005

Sani Lodge Tower, 220 m, Ecuador

Building

P.R. Martin unpubl.

Photographs:

Nest site of P. langsdorffi

Nest site of P. langsdorffi, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 3 August 2005. Nest in early construction, 32 m above ground in 38 m tall Ceibo tree. Birds apparently breed in different parts of the same tree each year during the dry season (Aug, Sept). Photo by P.R. Martin from Sani Lodge canopy tower.

Nest site of P. langsdorffi, 220 m, Sani Lodge, Succumbios, Ecuador. 3 August 2005. Female observed making 12 visits over the span of about 30 minutes, collecting spider webs from 10 m away and further. Female would spend up to a full minute arranging material . Photo by P.R. Martin from Sani Lodge canopy tower.