Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum)

Family
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

Size
8 - 9 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Boissonneau, 1839)

Habitat
Subtropical and tropical montane moist forest, high altitude grassland. From 1,700 - 3,400 m, occasionally 3,750 m.

Range (Guide)

Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela.

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status LC
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (11)...)

Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) [XC257853]
by John V. Moore from Pichincha: Yanacocha, Volc\u00e1n Pichincha, Ecuador (call, calls)

Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) [XC257855]
by Olaf Jahn from Pichincha: Yanacocha, Volc\u00e1n Pichincha, Ecuador (call, calls)

Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale). Perhaps closely related to Green-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia nuna). Subspecies andicolum and albiventre are doubtfully distinct from nominate. "Lesbia ortoni" (= "Zodalia glyceria") is probably a hybrid of present species and Black-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae).

The following 4 subspecies are recognised:

andicola Simon, 1921 - Andes of western Venezuela (Merida).
microrhynchum (Boissonneau, 1839) - Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and north-western Peru.
albiventre Carriker, 1935 - Andes of central Peru (Huánuco to Cuzco and Apurímac).
bolivianum Schuchmann, 1984 - Andes of Bolivia (Cocapata in Cochabamba).

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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