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Wire-crested Thorntail
The Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) is a hummingbird which occurs in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
The male of the eastern slopes of the northern Andes, has elongated tail feathers that curve outward and taper from a broad base to a slender tip. The outermost is longest and each successive feather toward the center is shorter. All are steel-blue, with white shafts, making a most striking and curious display when spread. The bird has a crest of brilliant green feathers.
These birds feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing.
These birds require frequent feeding while active during the day and become torpid at night to conserve energy.
References
Zuchner, T. 1999. Wire-crested Throntail (Discosura popelairii). Pp. 571 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. eds. 1999. Handbook of the Birds of the World.. Vol. 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-87334-25-3
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Wire-crested Thorntail
