Colibri thalassinus
The Mexican Violetear, *Colibri thalassinus*, is a medium-sized, iridescent hummingbird renowned for its stunning emerald-green plumage and distinctive violet patches. Males and females are largely similar, both measuring approximately 9-11.5 cm (3.5-4.5 inches) in length with a wingspan around 12 cm and weighing 4.5-6.5 grams. Key field marks include the prominent iridescent violet ear patch, which gives the species its name, and a less noticeable violet-blue patch on the lower breast and ve...
Primarily inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, often favoring clearings, coffee plantations, and gardens at elevations typically between 1,000 to 3,000 meters (3,300-9,800 feet).
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, particularly those with red or orange tubular flowers, supplemented by small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in mid-air.
Mexican Violetears are highly diurnal and energetic, spending their days actively foraging, defending territories, and vocalizing. Males are fiercely territorial, often perching prominently to sing and chase away rivals or other hummingbird species from prime flower patches. Their foraging strate...
The Mexican Violetear (*Colibri cyanotus* complex), which is the subject of this entry, is predominantly resident in the highlands of Mexico and Central America. Its breeding range extends from the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental mountains in Mexico south through the highlands of Guatemala, ...
Least Concern
- The "Mexican Violetear" has a fascinating taxonomic history, having been recently split from the South American Green Violetear (*Colibri thalassinus*) into the Lesser Violetear (*Colibri cyanotus*), which encompasses the populations found in Mexico and Central America. - This species is an ext...