Coeligena phalerata (Bangs, 1898)

Taxonomy

The white-tailed starfrontlet (scientific name Coeligena phalerata (Bangs, 1898)) is approximately 14 cm (5.5 in) long.

Bill Characteristics

Both males and females have a long, straight black bill, and the female's bill is somewhat longer than the male's.

Eye and Tail Traits (Sexes)

Both sexes also have a white spot behind the eye and a forked tail, though the male's tail has a deeper fork than the female's.

Adult Male Upperparts

Adult males have metallic dark green upperparts and a glittering turquoise crown.

Adult Male Tail Features

Their entire tail is white, though newly grown tail feathers have bronze tips.

Adult Male Underparts

Adult males have a blue gorget, mostly emerald green underparts, white leg puffs, and white undertail coverts.

Adult Female Upperparts

Adult females have a dusky blue-green crown and shining green upperparts.

Adult Female Tail and Underparts

Their tail is bronzy, with pale buff feather tips, and their underparts are rufous cinnamon.

Immature Appearance

Immature white-tailed starfrontlets resemble adult females.

Distribution Range

The white-tailed starfrontlet is found only in the isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northeast Colombia.

Habitat Preferences

It inhabits humid to wet montane forest; males prefer openings within the forest, while females are more often encountered at the forest edge.

Elevational Range

Its elevational range is between 1,400 and 3,700 m (4,590 and 12,140 ft).