Hummingbirds Trochilidae
There are 106 genera, of which 17 are thus far described below.
Of the 336 species within the family, ten are critically endangered. Thirteen are considered
endangered. Another seven species are listed as vulnerable, and nineteen others are
near-threatened. Hummingbirds are restricted to the New World. These small "jewels" are best known for their brilliant irredescent
plumages, and incredible flying powers, with wingbeats recorded in excess of 200 beats per second. Weighing only about 2 grams, the male Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae is the world's smallest bird.
Phaethornis
There are 25 species within this genus. The Koepcke's Hermit Phaethornis koepckeae is near-threatened.
The Green Hermit Phaethornis guy a very large hummingbird that ranges from Costa Rica, south to southeastern Peru. A disjunct population is
found in northeastern Venezuela and Trinidad. This female was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Campylopterus
There are 11 species in this genus. The Santa Marta Sabrewing Campylopterus phainopeplus is endangered. The
Long-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus excellens, White-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus ensipennis and Napo Sabrewing
Campylopterus villaviscensio are all near-threatened.
The large Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus is known for aggresively chasing other hummingbirds away from feeders and
flowers. They have a patchy distribution from southern Mexico, south to western Panama. This male was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde,
Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Colibri
There are 4 species in this genus.
The Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus is mostly a very common and widespread species from central Mexico, south to Bolivia and extreme
northwestern Argentina. This species may have benefited from habitat alteration, such as deforestation. This bird was photographed at the Hummingbird
Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Anthracothorax
There are 7 species in this genus.
The Antillean Mango Anthracothorax dominicus is endemic to the West Indies islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and their neighboring
associated islands. Formerly found on some of the Virgin Islands (Anegada, St. Croix, and St. John), now thought to be possibly extirpated. This female
was photographed at the botanical gardens in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Chrysolampis
This is the only member of the genus.
The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird Chrysolampis mosquitus is found in the Lesser Antilles, and from eastern Panama, south to eastern Bolivia and
central Brazil. Found in gardens, shrubby arid hillsides, and open country such as cultivated areas. This species is also known simply as Ruby Topaz.
This female was photographed near Speyside, Tobago.
Lophornis
There are 10 species in this genus. The Short-crested Coquette Lophornis brachylophus is critically endangered.
The tiny male Tufted Coquette Lophornis ornatus is a sharp-looking little bugger that is found in northeastern South America and Trinidad.
They inhabit edges of humid forest, thickets, gardens, and cultivated areas. They are amazingly tame and approachable.
This male was photographed at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad.
Elvira
There are 2 species in this genus.
The very distinctive Coppery-headed Emerald Elvira cupreiceps is endemic to the middle elevations of wet mature forest and forest
edges along the Caribbean and Pacific slopes of northern and central Costa Rica.
This male was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Eupherusa
There are 4 species in this genus.The Blue-capped Hummingbird Eupherusa cyanophrys is endangered. The White-tailed
Hummingbird Eupherusa poliocerca is near-threatened.
The Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia is a Central American species that ranges from southeast Mexico, south to western Panama.
They are somewhat uncommon in humid mature forest and forest edges.
This male was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Damophila
This is the only member of the genus.
The Violet-bellied Hummingbird Damophila julie ranges from central Panama, south to northwestern Peru. They inhabit lowland forest, forest
edge, second growth, and clearings. This male was photographed at the Canopy Tower, near Gamboa, Panama.
Amazilia
There are 30 species in this genus. The Honduran Emerald Amazilia luciae and the Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia
castaneiventris are critically endangered. The Mangrove Hummingbird Amazilia boucardi is
endangered, and the Escudo Hummingbird Amazilia handlevi is
vulnerable.
Steely-vented Hummingbirds Amazilia saucerrottei have a disjunct range from western Nicaragua, to central Costa Rica. They are absent in
Panama, but are found in Colombia, and western Venezuela.
This bird was photographed at Santa Elena, near Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Lampornis
There are 7 members of this genus.
The striking Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaemus is endemic to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It is sometimes lumped by some authors
with the White-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis castaneoventris and the Grey-tailed Mountain-gem Lampornis cinereicauda, under the
name of Variable Mountain-gem.
This male was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Heliodoxa
There are 9 species in this genus. The Pink-throated Brilliant Heliodoxa gularis is near-threatened.
The Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula, also known as the Green-fronted Brilliant, is found from Costa Rica, south to western Ecuador.
This female was photographed at the Hummingbird Gallery, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Eugenes
This is the only member of the genus.
The large Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens occurs in the mountains of southeastern Arizona, and locally in New Mexico and
west Texas, south to Nicaragua. Another race, which may prove to be a seperate species, is found in Costa Rica
and western Panama. This adult male Magnificent Hummingbird was photographed near Portal, Arizona, USA.
Heliomaster
There are 4 members in this genus.
The large Plain-capped Starthroat Heliomaster constantii occurs in a variety of habitats along the Pacific slope from northwestern
Mexico, south to southwestern Costa Rica. Rare vagrants occasionally are found in southeastern Arizona. This bird was photographed at a small coffee
plantation in Santa Elena, near Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Mellisuga
There are 2 species in this genus. The Bee Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae is the world's smallest bird and is considered
near-threatened.
The Vervain Hummingbird Mellisuga minima is the second smallest bird in the world. It is restricted to the Caribbean Islands of Jamaica and
Hispaniola. This bird was photographed just west of Puerto Escondido, near Duverge, Dominican Republic.
Selasphorus
There are 6 species in this genus. The Glow-throated Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae is considered
vulnerable.
The Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus is known to breed from southeastern Alaska, to Britsh Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and
northern California. They winter in Mexico. The high, trilling buzz wing whistle of the male is distinctive.
This adult male was photographed during migration near Alpine, White Mountains, Arizona, USA.
Stellula
This is the only member of the genus.
The Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope is known to breed in southwestern Canada and the western USA. They winter in Mexico.
This adult male was photographed during migration near Alpine, White Mountains, Arizona, USA.
Home
Tony@artfullbirds.com