Saucerottia beryllina
The Berylline Hummingbird, *Saucerottia beryllina*, is a dazzling neotropical jewel, captivating observers with its vibrant iridescent plumage. Measuring approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-4 in) in length and weighing a mere 3-4 grams, it presents a striking blend of emerald to bronze-green on its head, back, and flanks. Its most distinctive field marks are the contrasting rufous primaries and a deeply notched, coppery-rufous tail, often tipped with dark bronze, which become especially visible in fli...
This species thrives in semi-open woodlands, forest edges, tropical deciduous and pine-oak forests, and canyons, often favoring areas with dense undergrowth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters, occasionally venturing higher or lower.
Primarily nectivorous, consuming nectar from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in mid-air.
Berylline Hummingbirds are primarily diurnal, actively foraging for nectar and insects throughout the day, often with peak activity during early morning and late afternoon, and roosting solitarily at night. Their foraging strategy involves extensive trap-lining, where individuals repeatedly visit...
The Berylline Hummingbird has a broad distribution primarily spanning Mexico and Central America, with its breeding range extending from west-central Mexico south through Guatemala, El Salvador, and into Honduras. In Mexico, it is a widespread resident throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental, Sier...
Least Concern
- The "berylline" in its name refers to the mineral beryl, famous for its emerald-green and aquamarine varieties, accurately describing the hummingbird's iridescent green plumage. - While common in Mexico and Central America, it is one of the most regularly occurring, though rare, hummingbird spe...