[obol] [Fwd: Re: [NEOORN-L] Spectacular Courtship Display of Rare Hummingbird Filmed For First Time]

[DJ Lauten and KACastelein]

Folks you gotta see this.....read below....


Dave Lauten

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: [NEOORN-L] Spectacular Courtship Display of Rare 
Hummingbird Filmed For First Time
Date: 	Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:53:32 -0400
From: 	Mike Parr <mparr at ABCBIRDS.ORG>
Reply-To: 	mparr at abcbirds.org
Organization: 	American Bird Conservancy
To: 	NEOORN-L at LISTSERV.LSU.EDU



Contact: Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 216, 
sholmer at abcbirds.org <mailto:sholmer at abcbirds.org>  


Spectacular Courtship Display of Rare Hummingbird Filmed For First Time

 

Washington DC, 5 April 2007. American Bird Conservancy (ABC) today 
released the first ever film of the spectacular courtship display of the 
Marvelous Spatuletail, a highly endangered hummingbird that lives in the 
mountains of northern Peru. The video was shot by wildlife filmmaker 
Greg Homel of Natural Elements Productions. To view a segment of this 
extremely rare footage, please click on: 
(www.abcbirds.org/video/spatuletail_high.cfm 
<http://www.abcbirds.org/video/spatuletail_high.cfm>). 
<http://www.abcbirds.org/video/spatuletail_high.cfm>

<http://www.abcbirds.org/video/spatuletail_high.cfm>

The Marvelous Spatuletail is unique among hummingbirds in that it has 
only four tail feathers. The tail of the adult male is more than twice 
as long as its body and ends in two great spoon-shaped 'spatules' that 
radiate a metallic purplish gloss.  The males compete for females by 
whirling their long tails around their bodies in an amazing courtship 
display, which had previously only been witnessed by a few 
ornithologists, and had never been filmed. This display is considered to 
be one of the most bizarre in the bird world - the males repeatedly 
attack each other in the air, contorting their bodies and tails into 
strange shapes at incredible speed.

 

"The Marvelous Spatuletail is the ultimate hummingbird for most 
birdwatchers because of its rarity, spectacular tail, and vibrant 
plumage," said Mike Parr, Vice President of American Bird Conservancy.  
"It is also the focus of conservation efforts in an area that is rapidly 
becoming one of the birding hotspots in South America."

ABC is working with its Peruvian partner group Asociación Ecosistemas 
Andinos (ECOAN) to protect the spatuletail, which is considered to be 
one of the world's most endangered hummingbirds. The groups have set up 
a new protected area under a conservation easement, are developing a 
nature tourism program to benefit local communities, and conducting 
reforestation programs in the area.

"Conservation is not the role of single individuals but of our entire 
society. When you see communities that understand such challenges and 
sign such commitments as this conservation easement, you see progress 
and feel there is hope," said Constantino Aucca Chutas, President of ECOAN.

To support the conservation of the spatuletail, visit 
https://www.abcbirds.org/membership/donate_spt.cfm

 

The Spatuletail is also becoming a flagship species for tourism in the 
area. It has been declared the "Regional Bird" for Peru's Amazonas 
region, and is featured in the Commission for the Promotion of Peru's 
tourism brochures and the Northern Peru Birding Route 
(www.perubirdingroutes.com <http://www.perubirdingroutes.com/>).

 

Birdwatchers wishing to search for the spatuletail should contact Hugo 
Arnal at American Bird Conservancy, abc at abcbirds.org 
<mailto:abc at abcbirds.org>. Photos are availalbe at 
http://www.abcbirds.org/spatuletail.htm

ABC's and ECOAN's work in the region is supported by the Gordon and 
Betty Moore Foundation, Conoco Phillips, the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation, Robert Wilson, BirdLife International and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service under its Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act 
program.

Click below to join American Bird Conservancy 
(http://www.abcbirds.org/membership).

American Bird Conservancy (ABC - www.abcbirds.org 
<http://www.abcbirds.org/>) works to conserve native wild birds and 
their habitats throughout the Americas.  ABC is a membership 
organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the 
independent group Charity Navigator. 

 

 

Steve Holmer

Director of Public Relations

American Bird Conservancy

202/234-7181 ext. 216 or

202/744-6459 (cell)

sholmer at abcbirds.org <mailto:sholmer at abcbirds.org>

www.abcbirds.org <http://www.abcbirds.org>  

 

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