marvelous spatuletail Loddigesia mirabilis

Celebrated hummingbird restricted to Andean cloud forest in northern Peru. With his outrageous tail, blue crown, and iridescent green throat, the male ranks as one of the world’s most spectacular birds. He occasionally molts his distinctive tail feathers, so it is not unusual to see males lacking one or both rackets, or with one much longer than the other. Female is mainly green above and white below; she is best identified by the combination of a white spot behind the eye, a speckled throat, and slightly elongated tail feathers with blunt tips. Feeds on flowers at low to middle levels, usually at forest edge or in clearings. Visits feeders at the Huembo Reserve near Pomacochas.