| Tooth-billed hummingbird | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Subfamily: | Polytminae |
| Genus: | Androdon Gould, 1863 |
| Species: | A. aequatorialis |
| Binomial name | |
| Androdon aequatorialis Gould, 1863 | |
 | |
Thetooth-billed hummingbird (Androdon aequatorialis) is a species ofbird from the familyTrochilidae. It ismonotypic within thegenusAndrodon. It is found in humid forests in westernColombia, north-westernEcuador (south toPichincha Province), and far easternPanama (Darién Province). While generally scarce, localized and associated with the highly threatened humid sections of theChocó, its range remains relatively large, and it is therefore considered to be ofleast concern byBirdLife International.
The tooth-billed hummingbird has a total length of c. 14 cm (5+1⁄2 in), which includes the long, essentially straightbill of c.4 cm (1+1⁄2 in). Itscommon name refers to the small tooth-like serrations on the inner part of the distal half of the bill. It is shiny green above with acoppery crown. The underparts are whitish streaked dusky. The rounded tail is greyish with a broad black subterminal band and white tips. There is a conspicuous white band on the rump. In males, the bill has a small hook at the tip and more prominent tooth-like spikes; theirplumage color averages brighter overall than females. While the green upper parts of this species areiridescent, its plumage is duller than that of most hummingbirds. Within its range, it is essentially unmistakable by the combination of the long, almost straight bill and the dark-streaked whitish underparts.
The tooth-billed hummingbird is restricted to humidprimary forests and nearbysecond growth. It occurs up to an altitude of c. 1,560 m (5,120 ft). In Ecuador, it is most frequent between 400–800 m (1,300–2,600 ft), while it mainly occurs between 600–1,560 m (1,970–5,120 ft) in Panama, and up to 1,050 m (3,440 ft) in Colombia.
Rather inconspicuous and generally poorly known. It is a swift flier. It forages from low levels to sub-canopy, where it feeds onnectar from flowers of plant families suchEricaceae andGesneriaceae. Its main feeding strategy involvestrap-lining. The serrated bill is also well adapted for catching smallspiders andinsects, while the hooked tip of the males' bill is further suited for extracting prey from within rolled leaves and cavities. It has sometimes been seen rapidlygleaning below large leaves, while flicking its tail.
Little is known about its breeding behavior, but individuals captured in Colombia in January–March have had enlargedgonads, indicating that they were in breeding condition. In Ecuador, it has been reported that males gather inleks in February–May, which is unusual among members of the subfamilyTrochilinae, but frequent among the members ofPhaethornithinae. Its calls include a high-pitchestsit-tseé-tsu and penetratingcheet notes.
The tooth-billed hummingbird'staxonomic position has been controversial, with some arguing that it should be placed in the subfamilyPhaethornithinae, and others that it, together with the twolancebills, should be placed in their own small subfamily, Doryferinae. Today most authorities place it at the beginning of Trochilinae.
