Marvelous Spatuletail

Common name: Marvelous Spatuletail
Scientific name: Loddigesia mirabilis
Clades: Heliantheini - Brilliants
Endemic to Peru

The Marvelous Spatuletail is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long including its 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) tail. Females are 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long with a 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) tail.

Hummingbirds such as this magnificent species can only be found in a small area of Peru due to its endangered status. The body of this hummingbird is quite small, but its tail is extraordinarily long, and males have rackets on the outermost tail feathers. In addition to humid forest borders and second growth, Marvelous Spatuletails can be found in montane scrub and second growth. In their foraging behavior, they tend to stay low and feed on red-flowered lilies (Alstroemeria formosissima). When feeding on nectar, they tend to perch. There seems to be an unbalance between adult males and females and younger birds when it comes to courtship displays given by males to females.