The Story
I photographed this White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii) at Entreaguas Reserva Natural, near Coello in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia, at about 1,187 meters. The species is considered uncommon to fairly common in most areas and seems able to tolerate some habitat disturbance. Its population is estimated at no fewer than 500,000 mature individuals, though it is believed to be decreasing. It is found from Panama to Peru, from sea level up to about 2,000 meters. IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Females lack the male’s blue breast. It is 10.5 to 12 centimeters long.
I made this frame with a Canon R5 and the RF 800mm f/11, at 1/350 sec, f/11, ISO 3200. Entreaguas, in the Coello–Cocora area of Ibagué, offers ecological walks and birdwatching tours.
©2021 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii) 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 2022), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List