Black-Throated Mango Hummingbird (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

Black-throated mangoes are a widespread species of hummingbird in South America. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds mostly on nectar; however, it is much more of a specialist “trend-setter” than other hummingbirds. It chooses to not eat from the flowers typically popular amongst other hummingbirds, preferring the nectar of fountain trees instead. They possess highly-maneuverable wings that can be rotated around an axis; this allows them to fly forward, side-to-side, and even backwards. However, using these wings requires a lot of energy, causing black-throated mangoes to need to eat almost constantly when awake. They build tiny, cup-shaped nests high up in the trees from their own down feathers and lichens.