Colibri cyanotus
The Lesser Violetear, *Colibri cyanotus*, is a dazzlingly iridescent hummingbird renowned for its distinctive violet 'ear' patches. This petite species typically measures between 9.5 and 11 cm in length and weighs a mere 4.8 to 6 grams, showcasing a brilliant emerald-green plumage across its body, contrasted by a shimmering blue-green tail and a short, black, slightly decurved bill. Its most striking field mark is the large, iridescent violet patch extending from behind the eye onto the auric...
This species primarily inhabits montane evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, forest edges, and cloud forests, favoring elevations typically between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. It can also be found in coffee plantations, shaded gardens, and shrubby clearings.
Their diet consists mainly of nectar, obtained from a variety of flowering plants including legumes, bromeliads, and orchids, supplemented by small arthropods, which are often hawked in flight.
Lesser Violetears are highly active, diurnal birds, primarily foraging for nectar and insects throughout the day and often entering torpor during cold nights to conserve energy. They employ a 'trap-lining' foraging strategy, visiting a regular circuit of scattered flower patches, but will also fi...
The Lesser Violetear is primarily a resident species, distributed from the highlands of south-central Mexico through Central America, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Its range continues into northern South America, encompassing montane regions of Col...
Least Concern
- Despite their small size, Lesser Violetears have one of the highest metabolic rates in the animal kingdom, requiring constant feeding to fuel their energetic lifestyle. - Their iridescent feathers are not pigmented blue or violet; instead, the colors are produced by the microscopic structure of...