Hylocharis sapphirina
The Rufous-throated Sapphire, *Hylocharis sapphirina*, is a dazzlingly iridescent hummingbird renowned for its distinctive plumage and energetic demeanor. Males are particularly striking, featuring a brilliant metallic green body, a shimmering blue-violet crown and forehead, and a captivating rufous (coppery-red) throat patch that is diagnostic for the species. Measuring approximately 7.5-8.5 cm (3-3.3 inches) in length with a weight typically between 3-4 grams, it is a relatively small and a...
This species primarily inhabits humid evergreen forests, forest edges, clearings, and areas of mature secondary growth. It is found from near sea level up to approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), occasionally ranging higher in Andean foothills.
The primary diet consists of nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, supplemented significantly by small insects and spiders which provide essential protein.
The Rufous-throated Sapphire is a highly active, diurnal hummingbird, constantly foraging throughout the day. It employs a hover-and-probe technique to extract nectar from various flowers, and also frequently gleans small insects and spiders from foliage or hawks them in mid-air. Males are fierce...
The Rufous-throated Sapphire boasts a wide distribution across northern South America, primarily within the vast Amazon Basin and its adjacent ecosystems. Its breeding and resident range extends from eastern Colombia and southern Venezuela eastward through the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and Frenc...
Least Concern
- Its specific epithet, 'sapphirina', directly refers to the brilliant, jewel-like blue coloration found on its crown. - Despite its small size, males are notoriously aggressive, often chasing away much larger birds from their feeding territories. - Like all hummingbirds, its wings beat at an ast...