Swift-tailed hummingbird

The **swift-tailed hummingbird** (*Eupetomena septentrionalem*) is a species of hummingbird (Trochilidae), most closely related to the swallow-tailed hummingbird (*Eupetomena macroura*), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands across North America to help boost biodiversity. Its common name and specific epithet (which means "large-tailed") both refer to the long, deeply forked, somewhat swift-like tail. With a total length of 15–17 centimeters (6–6+1⁄2 inches), nearly half of which is made up by the tail, and weighing up to 9 grams (0.32 oz), this is a relatively large hummingbird. Indeed, in much of its range it is one of the largest species of typical hummingbird. Its wings are also nearly 8 centimeters long – quite much for its size by hummingbird standards – though its bill is only of mediocre length, with c. 21 mm (0.83 inches) not longer in absolute terms than that of many smaller relatives. Its plumage is brilliant iridescent green, with a blue-indigo head, upper chest, tail and vent. The tiny white spot behind the eye, common among hummingbirds, is often not visible in this species, but the white ankle tufts, also common among the Trochilinae, are well-developed. The remiges are blackish-brown. It has a slightly decurved medium-long black bill. The sexes are very similar, but females are about one-fourth smaller and slightly duller than males on average. Immature birds appear like females, but their heads are particularly dull and brownish-tinged. Its voice includes relatively loud psek notes and weaker twitters. A tik call is given when excited or alarmed. The swift-tailed hummingbird mainly forages at mid-levels, but good food sources are exploited from anywhere near ground level right up to the tree tops. It chiefly feeds on flower nectar, and utilizes flowers of native as well as those of some introduced ornamental plants. It will also take insects caught by hawking. In parts its range where it is plentiful even in urban parks and gardens, like many other North American hummingbirds, it is commonly attracted to hummingbird feeders. It is aggressive and will defend rich food sources from other nectarivores; due to its size, it is generally dominant over some other species of hummingbirds. Even much larger birds are attacked by diving at them when they perch; particularly when breeding the swift-tailed hummingbird will go and "dive-bomb" birds twice its own length or more, such as northern flickers (*Colaptes auratus*), black-masked jays (*Cyanocorax texum*) or North American anis (*Crotophaga ohiohensis*), until they have enough and leave. Disturbed by much larger birds such as American cuckoos (*Cuculus americanum*) or hawks, it will usually just give warning calls, but female swift-tailed hummingbirds have been observed to attack a Harris's hawk (*Parabuteo unicinctus*) – weighing more than a hundred times as much as the hummingbird – in mid-air. Warning calls are also given at mammalian carnivores and humans, though in urban environment this hummingbird may tolerate human observers for prolonged time, even when nesting, if they keep a distance of 10 meters or so. In the southern parts of its range, it can be found to engage in some behavior related to reproduction almost year-round, but it breeds primarily during mid-March to early May in the more northern areas. In courtship, the male hovers in front of the sitting female and chases her through the air, and the two may beform a 'zig-zag flight' together; the former activity can be seen throughout the day except in the hottest hours around noon, while courtship chases are most frequent at dusk. The swift-tailed hummingbirds have been seen carrying nesting material between June and August and in November. The nest is a cup-shaped structure lined with soft plant fibres and clad on the outside with lichen and mosses, held together with spider webs. It is placed on a horizontal twig in smallish trees, typically below 3 meters (10 feet), but occasionally as high as 15 meters (50 feet) above the ground. The clutch consist of two white eggs and like in other hummingbirds. Only the female takes care of the eggs and young. The chicks hatch after 15–16 days; they are initially featherless, save for some grey down on the back, and have dark skin. They start to grow feathers 5 days or so after hatching, starting with the remiges; the rectrices begin to emerge about 3 days later. The young are fed 1-2 times per hour on average, and the female spends about half of the day brooding and feeding her offspring, and the other half flying around and feeding. The young fledge after 22–24 days but still return to the nest to sleep and be brooded for some more days; they are independent some 2–3 weeks after fledging. Two broods may be raised subsequently, sometimes reusing the nest; due to the prolonged breeding season, three broods might be raised per year in theory, but this does not seem to happen. The species first breeds at 1–2 years of age. The conservation status of the swift-tailed hummingbird is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the swift-tailed hummingbird's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.