Hummingbirds are the jewels of the bird world -small, brightly coloured gems with wings. Hummingbirds are confined to the Americas and in total there are some 328 species, making them one of the most diverse bird families. Peru supports a staggering 127 species (39% of all Hummingbirds) of which some 44 occur in the Alto Mayo region (north-west jungle of Peru). Hummingbirds occur in all the habitats of the region from high montane forestes to the flooded forests of Tingana and can even be found in the towns and agricultural areas.

Hummingbirds are the most accomplished precision flyers of the birds, able to hover and fly backwards. They are unique in generating lift on both the upstroke and downstroke of the wings, which typically beat 10-80 times a second but can beat up to 200 times a second in display flights. They can also fly extremely rapidly with speeds of up to 150 km per hour being recordered. Such an active life means they have high metabolic demands and their hearts beat 500-600 times per minute at rest and over 1,000 times a minute when fighting. Their lifestyle means that they must feed regularly while active and they tend to be active throughout the day. They feed mainly on nectar from flowers but also take small arthropods to supplement their sugar diet. Hummingbird's bills show a great variety of shapes and sizes, reflecting the great diversity of plant species that they feed on.

The lower forests around Moyobamba and flooded forests nearby have slightly fewer species but often support high densities of hermits, duller hummingbirds with long curved beaks that primarily feed on the impressive Heliconia flowers.

THE MARVELOUS SPATULETAIL
The Marvellous Spatuletail is arguably the world's most spectacular and unusual hummingbird. The species has only four tail feathers, unique amongst hummingbirds, of which two are massively elongated with bare shafts and large purple rackets at the end and the central pair are long and narrow. The rackets move constantly even when perched and can distract and confuse even experienced observers. Some birdwatchers have stated that it seems like the bird is being mobbed by two butterflies!

The Marvellous Spatuletail is a unique and endangered hummingbird restricted to a very small area (estimated 110 km2) of the northern Cordillera de Colán east of the Utcubamba river in Amazonas. There is also a single sighting from "Jesus del Monte" in San Martin, indicating that there is still much to learn about the species distribution. In the 1960s the species was known from more than 15 sites but it has only been reported from three localities in recent years. It is currently known to occur near Chachapoyas and Leymebamba and near the town of Pomacochas. It is near Pomacochas where the species is most frequently reported and is most easily seen. It inhabits montane forest, forest edges and open areas nearby; although the species is perhaps most often seen in open areas, recent observations seem to suggest that it only uses open areas close to remaining forest patches and it seems likely that it is indeed reliant on forest. It is mainly found from 2,100 to 2,800 m. altitude but has been recorded as low as 1,700 m and as high as 3,700 m. The breeding season is from October to May when the males gather at leks (communal displaying areas).

The species remains little known. Its population is estimated to be less than 1,000 individuals and it is considered to probably be declining in numbers. The main threat to its continued survival is the on-going deforestation of the region. Additionally, the males are hunted in some areas in the mistaken belief that the heart has aphrodisiac properties; and hunting with slingshots has been suggested to explain a skewed sex ratio, with males being rarer than females.

In order to ensure the long-term survival of this amazing bird there is a need for more accurate investigations into the ecology of the species as well as surveys of the "Cordillera de Colán" and adjacent areas.

A critical step is to collect more defailed information for the development of a locally led conservation strategy for this unique hummingbird and install it involving the local population. The species has a great potential as an ecotourism attraction but only if it can be safeguarded in easily accessible areas before all remaining habitat is destroyed there.