Chrysuronia coeruleogularis
The Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Chrysuronia coeruleogularis) is a diminutive yet dazzling jewel of the Neotropics, renowned for the male's brilliant iridescent throat. Measuring approximately 8-9 cm (3.1-3.5 inches) in length and weighing a mere 3.5-4.5 grams, its small stature belies its vibrant presence. Males boast a spectacular, glittering sapphire-blue gorget contrasting sharply with its metallic green upperparts and clean white underparts, accentuated by a dark, slightly forked tail ...
Primarily inhabits coastal mangroves, dry scrub, semi-open arid woodlands, and forest edges, typically at elevations from sea level up to 500 meters, though most commonly below 100 meters.
Feeds primarily on nectar collected from diverse flowering plants, supplemented significantly by small arthropods such as insects and spiders, which are crucial for protein intake.
This diurnal hummingbird is largely solitary, often aggressively defending prime feeding territories from rivals, including other hummingbirds and large insects. Foraging involves hovering expertly to extract nectar from a variety of flowering plants, often employing 'traplining' behavior, system...
The Sapphire-throated Hummingbird has a highly restricted and fragmented distribution along the Caribbean coast of Panama and Colombia. In Panama, the nominate subspecies, *Chrysuronia coeruleogularis coeruleogularis*, is found in a narrow strip primarily in the eastern Panamanian provinces of Da...
Near Threatened
- The Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, like all hummingbirds, has one of the highest metabolic rates of any vertebrate, requiring constant feeding to fuel its rapid flight. - Its heart can beat up to 1,260 times per minute during intense activity. - It can fly forwards, backward, sideways, and hove...