White-tufted Sunbeam
A species of Sunbeams Scientific name : Aglaeactis castelnaudii Genus : Sunbeams
White-tufted Sunbeam, A species of Sunbeams
Botanical name: Aglaeactis castelnaudii
Genus: Sunbeams
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Lars Petersson 
Description
An adult white-tufted sunbeam is approximately 12 cm in height and weighs 7- 8.5 g. The bill is straight and black and there is a notable patch of white feathers directly under the chin on the breast. The rest of the body is described as tawny and darkly-colored. There are iridescent feathers on the back of the bird that are most noticeable in flight and while hovering. Males and females of the species exhibit subtle sexual dimorphism. Males are fuscous-black on their upper backs with a magenta reflection on their rump and lower back. Their tails are forked. The belly, side, and neck of a male are dull brown. The throat and pectoral band are blackish in color. True to their name, there is a white feather tuft on the central breast. Females are very similar to males, but have a less iridescent back and a smaller tail fork. Juvenile white-tufted sunbeams have a more uniform, brown exterior with no iridescent feathers. 
Size
12 cm
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
White-tufted Sunbeam feeds primarily on nectar from various flowering plants and captures insects midair. It clings to flowers during feeding, showcasing a specialized behavior unique to its species.
Habitat
White-tufted Sunbeam inhabit patches of evergreen montane forests located in the broader geographical regions of the Andes in Central and South-Central Peru. Preferring slightly drier zones of the high altitude forest, white-tufted Sunbeam are typically found at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 4,600 meters, thriving in habitats with abundant flowering vines such as Escallonia and Polylepis woodlands. In areas where their range overlaps with the Shining Sunbeam, white-tufted Sunbeam adopt a more reclusive behavior, dwelling lower in the dense vegetation to avoid competition.
Dite type
Nectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Species Status
This hummingbird's divided range meets the criterion of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation) Red List, and is therefore evaluated as near threatened. Despite a general agreement among researchers that this species has a declining population and fragmented range, it is not defined as vulnerable by the IUCN because the range is not considered severely fragmented. While the hummingbird's exact population size is unknown, white-tufted sunbeams have been described as “common but patchily distributed." The suspected cause of population decline is ongoing habitat loss due to deforestation.
Photo By Lars Petersson 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Swifts and hummingbirds Family
Hummingbirds Genus
Sunbeams Species
White-tufted Sunbeam 
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