Lesser Violetear
Colibri cyanotus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="colibri-cyanotus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) with bright green plumage and violet-blue ear patches. Found in Andean highlands from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 1,200-3,000 m. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges and gardens. Recently split from Green Violetear; range extends south of Panama.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4.866666666666667 g | 0.17 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Violet-headed Hummingbird: violet-blue gorget and head; metallic green above; white belly; cinnamon flanks; females duller with spotted throat
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,000–2,800 m elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Nectarivore highly adaptable to disturbed habitats; visits Lantana, Salvia, and Ericaceae flowers. Supplements with small arthropods.
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 16 days.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Rapid, light chips in cheerful sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during active foraging.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) |
| Genus | Colibri |
| Species | Colibri cyanotus |
Distribution
Lesser Violetear has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Lesser Violetear eat?
Where does the Lesser Violetear live?
How does the Lesser Violetear nest?
What does the Lesser Violetear sound like?
How big is the Lesser Violetear?
What order and family does the Lesser Violetear belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family