Thursday, June 8, 2023

Andean Emerald (Hummingbird)

The Andean emerald is a hummingbird found in portions of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. 
Andean Emerald range from Wikipedia.
It has three subspecies. We saw the nominate subspecies, franciae, which is found in the Andes of northwestern and central Colombia (we saw it at Montezuma Rainforest Lodge). The male is distinguished from the other subspecies by a violet-blue crown and golden to emerald cheeks and neck. It has a slightly decurved (downward projecting) bill that is black on top with a tinge of red on the bottom with a black tip. The center of the underparts is white and the tail is bronze green to copperish. The adult female is similar to the male, but its crown is turquoise-blue to greenish and has less of a glitter. 
Note the red lower bill, the white lowerparts and the violet crown. 

Note this female's decurved bill with a red lower bill and the bronze green to copperish color under the wing. 


The bronze green underneath the wing is more visible with the wing lowered and the emerald cheek and throat is more visible as well. 

1 comment:

  1. I am beginning to focus more on the bills of hummingbirds. I had not realized how many varieties there are.

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