Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas)

Identification & Behavior: ~20.5 cm (8 in). The Giant Hummingbird is mostly greenish-gray above. It has a white or whitish rump and greenish-gray notched tail. The underparts are variable. Some birds have reddish underparts (males), other grayish with rufous specks and many variations in between.  The Giant Hummingbird is easily identified by its large size and characteristic slower wing beats compared to most hummingbirds. The Giant Hummingbird is similar to a female Great Sapphirewing but is distinguished by having greenish-gray upperparts with a white rump. The Giant Hummingbirds favors dry habitats and may only have limited overlap with the Great Sapphirewing.

Status: The Giant Hummingbird is common and widespread in inter-Andean Valleys and on the west slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 2000-3400 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Colibrí Gigante.

Sub-species: Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas peruviana), Boucard, 1893.

Meaning of Name: Patagona: Apparently native to or coming from the Patagonian region of South America. gigas: L. gigas, gigantis,  giant.

See more of the Family Trochilidae