Eupherusa nigriventris
The Black-bellied Hummingbird (*Eupherusa nigriventris*) is a jewel of the montane cloud forests, instantly recognizable by the male's striking velvety black underparts, contrasting sharply with its brilliant iridescent emerald green upperparts. A medium-sized hummingbird, it measures approximately 9.5-10 cm (3.7-3.9 in) in length and weighs around 4.5 grams (0.16 oz). Its most distinctive field marks include the aforementioned black belly in males and prominent white outer tail feathers, esp...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and shaded coffee plantations, typically found at elevations between 900 to 2000 meters (3,000-6,500 ft).
Their diet consists primarily of nectar gathered from various flowering plants and small arthropods (insects and spiders) caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
Black-bellied Hummingbirds are highly active during daylight hours, aggressively defending prime feeding territories from rivals and other hummingbird species with chattering calls and aerial pursuits. Their foraging strategy involves hovering to sip nectar from a variety of flowering plants, oft...
The Black-bellied Hummingbird has a restricted, non-migratory range in Central America, primarily inhabiting the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. Its distribution extends from southern Nicaragua through the central and southern mountains of Costa Rica, continuing eastward into the west...
Least Concern
- The Black-bellied Hummingbird's dazzling black belly is unique among its close relatives in the genus *Eupherusa*, making males particularly easy to identify. - Despite its relatively small size, it is known for its aggressive territorial behavior, often seen chasing away much larger birds from...