Mangrove Hummingbird

Mangrovenamazilien ( ♂ above, ♀ below ), presentation by Jean -Marie Fugère ( 1818-1882 )

The Mangrovenamazilie ( Amasilia boucardi ) is a species of bird in the family of hummingbirds ( Trochilidae ). This monotypic species is endemic to the Central American country Costa Rica. The stock is assessed by the IUCN as endangered ( Endangered ).

Features

The Mangrovenamazilie reaches a body length of about 9.5 centimeters and a weight of 6.5 grams. The male is both at the apex, as well as on the upper side pale green with bronze-colored tint on the rump. The tail has a bronze -green color and is slightly forked. The whitish underside is mottled on the breast and sides pale green to bluish. The birds have a about 18 millimeters long, dark bill with a reddish beak. The females are similar to males, but the base mainly white with only small speckles on the throat and on the sides.

Distribution and habitat

The representatives of this type are found exclusively in the mangroves of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Here they are found from the Gulf of Nicoya to the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jimenez.

Behavior

The Hummingbirds feed preferably of tea mangrove ( Pelliciera rhizophorae ). For food intake they move in the lower and middle strata. In addition, they also fly trees with flowers on such as Lonchocarpus, Inga, climbing plants such as Maripa nicaraguensis, epiphytes or heliconias. They also tolerate to the mangroves adjacent areas, provided these occur tea mangroves. In particular, the males behave very aggressively, but are not territorial on the flowers.

Nest

The breeding season of Mangrovenamazilien lasts from October to February. The nest has the shape of a small chalice and consists of fibers balsa, other material that has fallen away from plants, as well as spider webs and is decorated on the outside walls by braiding. The nest is placed in the branches of the mangroves one to four feet above the water. Here, there is space for two eggs which are incubated by the female only.

Threats and conservation status

BirdLife estimates the total population of the species at 2500-10000 individuals. The construction of solar salt works and shrimp ponds and concrete cutting down for the production of charcoal destroy the ecological niche of the mangrove. Other threats are illegal wood cutting, levees, roads, and air pollution (especially by the harbor in Puntarenas). So the entire Pacific coast of Costa Rica is affected by economic developments.

It will be carried out on the state of mangroves, where the disappearance of mangrove landscapes is monitored surveys. Further studies aim to analyze why the species is not present in apparently suitable habitat. Carara National Park is to be developed. You may want to start to make the population aware of the existing problems with the help of these endemic species a campaign.

Etymology and History of Research

Étienne Mulsant had the Mangrovenamazilie originally described boucardi under the scientific name Arena. Another synonym that can be found in the literature, is Polyerata boucardi.

The word Amasilia comes from a novel by Jean -François Marmontel, who reported in Les Incas, ou La Destruction De L'empire you Pérou of an Inca heroine named Amazili. The specific epithet boucardi is a dedication to the ornithologist and collector Adolphe Boucard (1839-1905), who also published on hummingbirds.