Band-tailed Barbthroat
Common name: Band-tailed Barbthroat
Scientific name: Threnetes ruckeri
Clades: Phaethornithinae - Hermits
Let's break down Threnetes ruckeri:
Threnetes: This is the genus name, derived from the Greek word "threnos" (θρηνός), which means "a song of mourning" or "lament." The name Threnetes could reference the melancholic or sorrowful call of the birds in this genus, which are typically associated with dark, forested environments. It may also be a poetic reference to the bird's song.
Ruckeri: In the species name Threnetes ruckeri, the "-ruckeri" part honors Heinrich Rucker, a German naturalist. Although Threnetes ruckeri (Rucker's Pygmy-tyrant) is a different bird, the genus Threnetes also includes the Band-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes ruckeri and other species in the same genus share similar characteristics, such as size and habitat).
Therefore, if we're connecting Threnetes ruckeri with the Band-tailed Barbthroat, we could say that Threnetes as a genus highlights the mournful or distinct vocalizations of these small hummingbirds, and ruckeri could be used to refer to a bird that may have been named in honor of Rucker, though the Band-tailed Barbthroat itself isn't named ruckeri.
The Band-tailed Barbthroat is a species of hummingbird native to South America. This medium-sized bird is predominantly green with a distinctive violet-blue band stretching across its chest. Its iridescent green throat and forehead characterize the male Band-tailed Barbthroat, while the female has a white throat with green speckles.
Known for its unique breeding behavior, the Band-tailed Barbthroat is a solitary nester, with the female building a compact cup-shaped nest using plant fibers and spider silk. This species is often found in the humid forests and montane regions of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, where it feeds on nectar from various flowers.
As a photographer dedicated to capturing the beauty of hummingbirds, Anthony Lujan has been on a mission to document the Band-tailed Barbthroat and other species to help raise awareness about their conservation status and promote appreciation for these remarkable birds.
3 subspecies:
T. r. ventosus
Distribution: E Guatemala and Belize to Panama.T. r. ruckeri
Distribution: N and W Colombia and W Ecuador (S to El Oro).T. r. venezuelensis
Distribution: NW Venezuela (E to W Apure and W Barinas).
