a project of the Yanayacu Natural History Research Group
Doryfera ludovicae, Green-fronted Lancebill

Family Trochilidae, Order Apodiformes
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This page was created by Kimberly S. Sheldon & Harold F. Greeney in 2005. It is updated periodically and should be cited in the manner outlined on the NHEMA citation page. For additional information or clarification please contact Harold Greeney at revmmoss@yahoo.com

Abstract:

The Green-fronted Lancebill ranges from Costa Rica to northwestern Bolivia. In Ecuador, they are rarely seen outside of mature cloud forest, with both sexes found mostly along fast moving streams. Nests were observed from 2000 to 2200 m on the eastern slope of the Andes in Napo province, Ecuador. Nests located in sheltered areas immediately adjacent to, or directly over, 2 to 5 m wide streams and constructed entirely of dry mosses, liverworts, and spider webs with no apparent lining. Eggs were elliptical and immaculate white. Clutch size ranged from 1-2 eggs with females appearing to do most, if not all of the parental care.

Relevant publications:

Greeney, H. F., Dobbs, R. C., Diaz, G. I. C., Kerr, S. & J. G. 2006. Breeding of the Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae) in eastern Ecuador. Ornitologia Neotropical 17: 321-331.

Greeney, H. F.& T. Nunnery. 2006. Notes on the breeding of north-west Ecuadorian birds. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club 126: 38-45.

Ramirez G., M. G. & J. C. Arias G. 1994. Actividad reproductivo del colibri (Doryfera ludovicae) en la Reserva Natural La Planada. Boletin de la Sociedad Antioquena de Ornitologia 5: 8-12.

Ruschi, A. 1961. Algumas observacoes sobre: Phaethornis yaruqui yarqui (Bourcier), Colibri coruscans coruscans (Gould), etc. Bolm. Mus. Biol. Prof. Mello-Leitao 27:1-21.

Snow, D.W., & M. Gochfeld. 1977. Field notes on the nests of teh Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae and the Blue-fronted Lancebill Doryfera johannae. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club 97:121-125.

Stiles, G.F. 1999. Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & D. A. Christie (eds.). Handbook of the birds of the world, 5. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.  

Photographs:

Eggs of D. ludovicae

Egg # H02-12747, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-12748, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-12769, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-12770, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-12948, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-12951, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-13260, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-15214, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H02-15222, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H03-2262, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H03-4062, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H03-4063, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H04-1740, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Egg # H04-1741, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Adult female Doryfera ludovicae brooding two nestlings, November 26, 2002, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000 m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestlings of D. ludovicae

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day of hatching (day 0), Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day of hatching (day 0), Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day of hatching (day 0), Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 3, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 3, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 3, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 8, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 8, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 8, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 13, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 13, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 13, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 20, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 20, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, on day 20, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Additional photographs of D. ludovicae

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, 7 hours old, on U.S. 25 cent coin, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestling of Doryfera ludovicae, 7 hours old, on U.S. 25 cent coin, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestlings of Doryfera ludovicae, one day old, begging in nest, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nest of Doryfera ludovicae, under horizontal log over stream, red indicates copious amount of extra material hanging below nest, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nest of Doryfera ludovicae, under horizontal log over stream, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nest of Doryfera ludovicae, on sheltered but moist rock ledge, red indicates currently active nest, white shows previous year's nest, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nest of Doryfera ludovicae, on mossy rock face, female incubating, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nesting habitat of Doryfera ludovicae, on mossy rock face, red spot above investigator shows nest site, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nesting habitat of Doryfera ludovicae, on mossy rock face, red spot near investigator shows nest site, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nesting habitat of Doryfera ludovicae, on mossy rock face, along mountainous stream, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nestlings of Doryfera ludovicae, hatching, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney

Nesting habitat of Doryfera ludovicae, in mossy steam canyon, Yanayacu Biological Station, 2000m, Napo, Ecuador. Photo by H. F. Greeney
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