Fork-tailed Woodnymph

The Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata), represented in Ecuador by the subspecies viridipectus, inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests on the eastern slope, typically between 400 and 1,200 meters. It is locally common in suitable habitat, especially along forest edges and clearings, where males display iridescent plumage and forage actively at mid-levels. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Amazonian range and no immediate threats, though its population is suspected to be slowly declining due to deforestation. Natural history observations highlight solitary nectar-feeding behavior, occasional insect capture, and moss-lined nests built in concealed vegetation, though breeding details remain poorly documented.