be between December and February but may extend from October to May. Males gather at leks and perform an aerial display. Vocalization The male marvelous spatuletail gives "a repeated high-pitched buzzy metallic note...'tzzz...tzzz...'" during its aerial display. Its calls include "an upslurred high-pitched sweet note 'tswee'" and "a more strident 'tsik'". Status The IUCN originally assessed the marvelous spatuletail as Threatened, then in 1994 rated it as Vulnerable and since 2000 as Endangered. It is known from only two general areas and its population is thought to be smaller than 1000 mature individuals. Deforestation is rampant in its range though the species' preference for edge and scrubby habitats may somewhat ameliorate its effects. Males are hunted for traditional medicine, as their hearts are believed to be an aphrodisiac. In 2005, American Bird Conservancy provided Peruvian conservation partner ECOAN with support to sign a conservation easement with the Pomacochas Community to protect and manage about of significant habitat for the marvelous spatuletail. Over 30,000 saplings of native trees and bushes have been planted there. This conservation easement is the first of its kind in Peru. In popular media The marvelous spatuletail has been featured on the PBS TV series Nature and two BBC TV series, Natural World and Life. References External links Marvelous Spatuletail photo gallery at VIREO marvellous spatuletail Hummingbird species of South America Birds of the Peruvian Andes Endemic birds of Peru marvellous spatuletail marvellous spatuletail