Aglaeactis is a genus of hummingbirds in the family Trochilidae.
Species
Aglaeactis contains the following species:
Genus Aglaeactis – Gould, 1848 – four species
Common name
Scientific name and subspecies
Range
Size and ecology
IUCN status and estimated population
Shining sunbeam
Aglaeactis cupripennis (Bourcier, 1843)
Two subspecies
A. c. cupripennis
A. c. caumatonota
Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
Size: 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long. Males weigh 7.6 to 8.1 g (0.27 to 0.29 oz) and females 6.9 to 7.5 g (0.24 to 0.26 oz)
Habitat:
Diet:
LC
Purple-backed sunbeam
Aglaeactis aliciae Salvin, 1896
Peru
Size:
Habitat:
Diet:
VU
White-tufted sunbeam
Aglaeactis castelnaudii (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1848)
Peru
Size: 12 cm in height and weighs 7- 8.5 g.
Habitat:
Diet:
LC
Black-hooded sunbeam
Aglaeactis pamela (d'Orbigny, 1838)
Bolivia
Size: 12 cm (4.7 in) long including its 15 mm (0.59 in) straight black bill. Males weigh about 5.2 g (0.18 oz) and females 5.8 g (0.20 oz).
Habitat:
Diet:
LC
Territories
Shining sunbeam territories are characterized by highly utilized central core areas with high overall use, but low foraging activity. These territories are usually those associated with structural complexity like canopy coverings, vegetation densities, and ideal nesting/roosting sites. High canopy heights and adequate vegetation densities allow these hummingbirds to effectively transmit auditory and visual signals. More exposed and elevated perches are usually favored. These birds pick the most ideal territories to avoid predators and defend their territories.
