Image via Macaulay Library
Shining Sunbeam
- Scientific name
- Aglaeactis cupripennis
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Shining Sunbeam, Aglaeactis cupripennis, is a high-altitude hummingbird native to the northern and central Andes. These birds were formally described by ornithologist Jules Bourcier in 1843. Living in the elfin forests and shrublands at altitudes between 2,500 and 4,500 meters, they evolved distinct physical traits to survive the harsh, fluctuating temperatures of the high-mountain paramo, most notably their specialized metabolic capacity to enter torpor during cold Andean nights.
The physical design of this species, characterized by its pointed wings and notched tail, facilitates the rapid, agile flight necessary for maneuvering through dense, high-elevation vegetation. The iridescent copper-brown plumage, for which the bird is named, serves as both a form of camouflage against the rocky, mossy environments and a signal for territorial displays. Its evolutionary trajectory is closely tied to the specific floral landscapes of its range, reflecting the complex ecological niche these birds have occupied since their divergence.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
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About Shining Sunbeam
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