Racket-tipped Thorntail Discosura longicaudus

Tiny hummingbird. Male mostly green with contrasting white belly; female green above and whitish below, speckled with green on throat and breast. Both sexes show buffy rump band. Males usually appear dark but are easily identified by small size and long, modified outer tail feathers; females told from other coquettes in range by speckled throat without buff tones. Rarely encountered. Found around flowering trees in rainforest and perhaps most readily seen along rivers. Local populations may fluctuate in abundance from one season to another. Like other coquettes, has fast, weaving flight reminiscent of a large insect, which may help it evade detection by larger hummingbirds whose territories it infiltrates to feed on nectar.