Red-tailed comet

The red-tailed comet is a captivating medium-sized hummingbird belonging to the Trochilidae family. Its scientific name honors the ancient Greek poet Sappho, while its species name, "sparganurus" translates to "decorated tail" in Greek. Locally, it is known as Q'ori Kenti, meaning "golden hummingbird" in the Quechua language, and as picaflor cometa in Spanish. This species has two subspecies, found across Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.

This vibrant bird typically inhabits the central Andes, from Bolivia and Argentina to Chile and Peru. The red-tailed comet thrives in a variety of environments, from woodlands and scrublands to high-altitude puna and cloud forests. They are also commonly seen in agricultural areas, as well as urban settings like cities and towns.

Male red-tailed comets can grow up to 22 cm long, while females are slightly smaller, reaching up to 15 cm. Males display green plumage with a striking, shiny gorget, a reddish-violet back and rump, and a long, iridescent, golden-reddish tail. Females, in contrast, possess a shorter, reddish-bronze tail. One distinctive feature of this species is its hoarse, chattery call, which adds to its unique charm.