Amazilia luciae
The Honduran Emerald (Amazilia luciae) is a petite and breathtaking hummingbird, measuring approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) in length and weighing a mere 4-5 grams. Males boast brilliant iridescent emerald-green plumage across their head, throat, and upperparts, transitioning to a coppery-bronze on the rump and deeply forked tail, which is dark bronzy-green. A striking white belly contrasts sharply with the vibrant green, and its straight bill is black with a distinctive pinkish-red base to th...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid thorn forests, dry deciduous woodlands, and scrublands, favoring lowland river valleys and sometimes coffee plantations with suitable shade, typically found at elevations below 900 meters.
Their primary diet consists of nectar, collected from a variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and cacti, supplemented significantly by small insects and spiders for essential protein, caught by hawking or gleaning.
Honduran Emeralds are highly active and diurnal, spending their days foraging and defending territories. Males are fiercely territorial, engaging in aggressive aerial chases and vocalizations to deter rivals from prime feeding patches. They employ a combination of trap-lining, visiting a circuit ...
The Honduran Emerald is exclusively found within Honduras, making it a true Honduran endemic. Its historical distribution included several lowland river valleys, notably the Aguan and Sula Valleys, and areas around Lake Yojoa. However, its current range is severely fragmented and much more restri...
Endangered
- The Honduran Emerald is one of the few bird species truly endemic to a single country, found nowhere else on Earth. - Its scientific name, *Amazilia luciae*, honors Lucy's Gulick, a significant contributor to early ornithological studies. - Despite its small size, it boasts an incredible metabo...