Mangrove Hummingbird

Mangrove Hummingbird
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apodiformes
Family:	Trochilidae
Genus:	Amazilia
Species:	A. boucardi
Binomial name
Amazilia boucardi Mulsant, 1877

The Mangrove Hummingbird, Amazilia boucardi, is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found only in Costa Rica. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.The mangrove hummingbird, feed primarily on the flowers of P. rhizophorae. Mangrove hummingbirds are occasionally seen in adjacent non-mangrove habitats. Nesting for these birds have been recorded during the months of October through February. The mangrove hummingbird is approximately, on average, 9.5 cm. Bronze and green in color. The male is pale green on his crown and upperparts, with bronze tinge to his rear with his tail being a bronze-green color. They have dark bills with reddish lower mandible. Females are similar looking with mainly white underparts and little green spotting on throat and sides. These hummingbirds first became threatened in 1988, in 1994-1996 they were classified as Vulnerable, and in 2000 until present, they are considered endangered. Habitat destruction is reducing and severely damaging the mangrove hummingbirds natural very small habitat in the first place, resulting in endangerment. The construction of Salinas and shrimp ponds and selective logging for charcoal production are destroying the mangroves, the natural habitat of these hummingbirds. Other threats include illegal cutting, road construction, and pollution. Remaining population estimate about 2,500-9,999 mature individuals with population decreasing.

Measurements

• The average bird is approximately between 9.5 and 11 cm and weighs around 4.5 grams. The bill of an adult averages 18 mm in length. [1].

Diet

• The Mangrove Hummingbird primarily feeds off the nectar of a flower called the Tea Mangrove (Pelliciera Rhizophorae). [2].

Population

• The current population of the mangrove hummingbird is estimated between 2,500 and 10,000 birds. [3].

References

• BirdLife International 2004. Amazilia boucardi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 10 July 2007.
• 1, 2, 3. The Mangrove Hummingbird http://www.neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/identification?p_p_spp=25358
• BirdLife International, Mangrove Hummingbird. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1941
• BirdLife International. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1941&m=1
• 2009. Amazilia Boucardi. http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/A/Amazilia_boucardi/

External links

• http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1941&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet