The Story
I photographed this Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina) at the Observatorio de Colibríes in La Calera, near Bogotá, Colombia. The Tyrian Metaltail also catches small insects on the wing. Its breeding seasons vary widely along its long north-south range. It takes nectar from many flowering plants, hovering or clinging, and sometimes piercing the base of a flower. At least 14 hummingbird species visit the observatory’s single hectare, where the family has planted about 300 native flowering trees and shrubs. IUCN lists the Tyrian Metaltail as Least Concern, with a decreasing population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800. Victoria Lizarralde and her family began the observatory in 2005, and they plant native flowers, keep the feeders fresh and host school visits to promote conservation.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina) belongs to the family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2024), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List