Wire-crested Thorntail

*Top 50 Target Species

The Wire-crested Thorntail inhabits humid foothill forests along the eastern Andes of Ecuador, typically between 500 and 1,500 meters, where it is considered uncommon but regularly recorded in sites like Panacocha. Though its global range spans into Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, its Ecuadorian presence is patchy and localized, favoring canopy-level nectar sources such as Inga trees and occasionally feeding on small arthropods. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population trend is declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Little is known about its breeding behavior, but one nest was found high in the forest canopy, suggesting a preference for elevated, concealed nesting sites.