Florisuga fusca (Vieillot, 1817)

Common Name and Length

Florisuga fusca, commonly called the black jacobin, measures 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) in total length.

Weight

Males have an approximate weight of 9 g (0.32 oz), while females weigh approximately 8 g (0.28 oz).

Adult Plumage (General)

Adult individuals of both sexes are mostly black, with bronzy-olive coloration on the lower back, as well as on the uppertail coverts and wing coverts.

Flank and Tail Plumage

This species has white flanks; its inner tail feathers (rectrices) are black, and its outer rectrices are white with black tips.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile black jacobins are primarily dark in color, with the exception of a wide cinnamon band across the center and sides of the throat, plus a white belly and white outer rectrices.

Primary Distribution Ranges

The black jacobin has two distinct population ranges: one in southeastern Brazil extending south from roughly Bahia through Rio Grande do Sul into eastern Uruguay, and a separate range covering southeastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and the adjacent area of Brazil.

Extralimital Records

Scattered records of the species exist at locations outside of its primary range.

Habitat

It inhabits primarily woodlands, gardens, and coffee and cacao plantations that contain tall trees.

Elevation Range

Its elevation range extends from sea level up to 1,400 m (4,600 ft).