Chilean woodstar
The Chilean woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii) is a tiny hummingbird that is Critically Endangered. It is found only in northern Chile, mainly in scrub and gardens along river valleys in the Arica y Parinacota region; there are unconfirmed reports from southern Peru.
It is the only species in its genus, Eulidia. It has no subspecies and was sometimes placed in the genus Myrtis in the past, but today most scientists keep it in Eulidia.
Description: The bird is about 7.5–8.0 cm long and weighs 2.3–2.6 g, making it the smallest bird in Chile. Both sexes have a short black bill. Adult males are iridescent olive green on top with white underparts. They have a reddish-purple and blue gorget that can look blackish, and a short green central tail with longer outer tail feathers that are dark and curve inward. Females are olive green above and pale buff below, with a short tail. Immature males resemble females but with a mottled throat and may have longer outer tail feathers.
Compared birds: The Peruvian sheartail (Thaumastura cora) shares the same range and is more common there. The male sheartail has two elongated white tail feathers, which helps tell them apart. The woodstar usually flies with its tail cocked and doesn’t often pump its tail.
Range and habitat: Today the Chilean woodstar is known from the Lluta, Azapa, and Vitor valleys in far northern Chile. There is one historical record from Antofagasta. There are undocumented sight records in Peru; the South American Classification Committee considers Peru records hypothetical.
Habitat and altitude: It lives in scrub, thickets, and gardens along arid river valleys. It normally occurs at 200–750 m above sea level, mostly below 400 m, but there are small populations around 1,800 m and a few records up to 3,000 m.
Behavior: The species is thought to be mostly sedentary, though some elevational movement may occur if vegetation along rivers allows it.
Diet: It feeds on nectar from a variety of native and introduced plants and also eats small insects on the wing. Native nectar plants include Inga feulles, Geoffroea decorticans, and Schinus molle; introduced nectar sources include Lantana, Hibiscus, and Citrus.
Breeding: Nesting has been recorded from May to September, suggesting the birds may nest twice a year or at any time. Most nests have been found in olive trees about 2.3 m high, with a few in native shrubs or ornamental trees. Very little else is known about its breeding.
Call: The song is a series of rasping tsick notes, quieter and less musical than the Peruvian sheartail. Males make a high-pitched buzzing zrrrrrrr display call.
Conservation status and threats: The IUCN classed it as Threatened, then Critically Endangered in 2014. Its area of occupancy is about 6,220 km2, and an estimated 210 mature individuals (about 300 total) remain. The population declined from more than 1,500 individuals in 2003 to about 500 in 2012. The main threat is habitat loss from agriculture, with pesticides and competition with the Peruvian sheartail possible threats. Hybridization with the sheartail could also be a risk.
Conservation actions: A recovery plan was approved in 2004, including population monitoring, habitat restoration, studying competition with the Peruvian sheartail, and the possibility of reintroducing the birds to former ranges.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:18 (CET).