Discosura conversii

Discosura conversii is a small hummingbird native to the tropical forests of Central and northern South America. This species inhabits humid lowland and montane forests, usually below 5,000 feet in elevation, favoring the edges of forest clearings and secondary growth rather than dense interior canopy. It is not known to live outside its native range in the wild, though its presence has been recorded near plantations and regenerating forest. Males are most often detected by their distinctive hovering courtship display, which involves a series of vertical climbs and dives accompanied by mechanical wing sounds.

The male of Discosura conversii is easily recognized by its narrow, elongated tail feathers and glittering green plumage with a bronzy nape and back.

Females lack the elongated tail streamers and show a spotted grayish-white breast with a green-scaled head and upperparts. Adults measure about 3.5 inches in length, though males can appear longer due to their tail extensions. The species feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and trees, often perching briefly between feeding bouts, and supplements its diet with small insects captured in mid-air. Its behavior is typical of many hummingbirds, including rapid darting flights, territorial defense of feeding sites, and high-frequency wingbeats estimated at up to 40 times per second.

Its vocalizations are limited, consisting mostly of short, sharp notes given during aerial displays. Discosura conversii is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN. Photographed in north-western Ecuador.