Rhodopis vesper vesper

(Lesson, 1829)

Vernacular names
English : Oasis hummingbird
French : Colibri vesper

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Apodiformes
Family : Trochilidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 13 cm in length for a weight of 4.2 g. Plumage iridescent dark green, white breast and belly, black wings and tail, reddish rump. Male has iridescent purple throat and long tail. This subspecies has the longest bill.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in western Peru and extreme north Chile. Species also found in north-west Peru, north and north-central Chile. Lives in arid steppes and gardens, mostly in coastal hills, from lowlands to 3000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is very common in arid zones and adapts well to man-made habitats. It used to be traded in big numbers in Peru but this has stopped.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA)

 

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