Species profile
About this species
The Marvelous Spatuletail is a remarkably distinctive hummingbird endemic to a small area of northern Peru. The male is famous for its four tail feathers, two of which end in large violet-blue disc-shaped spatules that can be crossed & waved independently during courtship displays. It is considered one of the world's most extraordinary birds & is listed as Endangered due to habitat loss & hunting.
This species inhabits the edges of montane forest & scrubland on the western slope of the Rio Utcubamba valley in the Amazonas region of northern Peru, typically at elevations between 2100m & 2900m.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Marvelous Spatuletail with us in Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
The dry season from April to October offers the clearest conditions, with early morning hours between 7am & 10am being optimal when males are most active at feeding & display sites.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wing beats & capture the spatule tail feathers in sharp detail. Position yourself near flowering Munchsia plants where males are known to feed & display, allowing you to anticipate behaviour & pre-focuss your shot. A telephoto lens of 400mm or longer is recommended to maintain a respectful distance whilst still achieving frame-filling images of this small bird.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Marvelous Spatuletail
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.