Calliphlox bryantae (Lawrence, 1867)

Size and Shared Physical Traits

The magenta-throated woodstar (Calliphlox bryantae) has the following physical characteristics. Males measure about 9.0 cm (3.5 in) long and weigh approximately 3.3 g (0.12 oz), while females are about 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long and weigh around 3.5 g (0.12 oz). Both sexes share a short, straight, black bill and a small white spot behind the eye.

Plumage Common Features

Both also have bronzy green upperparts marked with rufous spangles and a white band across the upper chest; the male's white band is broader and brighter than the female's.

Adult Male Plumage

Adult males have a metallic purple gorget, green breast and flanks, and a rufous belly, with a white or buffy patch on each side of the rump.

Adult Female Plumage

Females have a buffy throat, and green breast and flanks mixed with some rufous.

Male Tail Structure

For tail structure, the male's central tail feathers are short with black tips. Each pair of tail feathers further outward from the center is progressively longer; these feathers are black with cinnamon-rufous inner webs.

Female Tail Structure

In adult females, the central and outermost pairs of tail feathers are shorter than the intermediate pairs, creating a "double rounded" tail shape. The female's tail feathers are rufous with a black band near the tip and buffy cinnamon tips.

Immature Plumage

Immature magenta-throated woodstars resemble adult females, but are paler on their underside and have buff fringes on the upperparts plumage.

Distribution Range

This species is distributed from northern Costa Rica into western Panama, reaching as far as Veraguas Province, and occurs mostly on the Pacific slope.

Habitat Types

It inhabits semi-open to open landscapes within the Talamancan montane ecoregion. Common habitat types include forest edges and clearings, thinned woodland, secondary forest, and shrubby pastures.

Elevation Range

In terms of elevation, it ranges between 700 and 1,850 m (2,300 and 6,100 ft) in Costa Rica, and between 1,100 and 1,750 m (3,600 and 5,700 ft) in Panama.