Microchera cupreiceps
The Coppery-headed Emerald (Microchera cupreiceps) is a diminutive and dazzling hummingbird, a true jewel of the Neotropical cloud forests. Measuring a mere 6.5 cm (2.6 inches) in length and weighing just 2.5-2.8 grams, it ranks among the smallest avian species. Males boast an unmistakable brilliant coppery-red crown that gleams under sunlight, contrasting sharply with their iridescent green back and flanks, and pristine white underparts. Females, while lacking the intense coppery crown, poss...
Found primarily in humid montane evergreen forests, cloud forest edges, and second growth, often frequenting coffee plantations and gardens. It typically inhabits elevations between 800 to 2,000 meters (2,600-6,600 feet).
Primarily feeds on nectar from small flowers, with a preference for plants in the Rubiaceae, Ericaceae, and Gesneriaceae families. Also consumes small insects and spiders, typically gleaned from vegetation or caught in flight.
Coppery-headed Emeralds are highly active diurnal birds, constantly on the move in search of sustenance. They employ a trap-lining foraging strategy, visiting a regular circuit of flowering plants for nectar, and also glean small insects and spiders from foliage or catch them in mid-air. Males ar...
The Coppery-headed Emerald is a resident species, endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. In Costa Rica, it is found primarily on the Caribbean slope and in the central mountain ranges, extending from the Cordillera de Guanacaste south through the Cordillera de Tilarán, Central...
Least Concern
- The Coppery-headed Emerald is one of the smallest hummingbird species in the world, often compared in size to large bees or moths. - Its iridescent coppery crown on the male can appear fiery orange or deep red depending on the angle of light, a truly spectacular sight. - This species is endemic...