Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 cm). The Lesser Violetear is all shiny green with conspicuous violet sides of the cheeks and ears tufts. It has no blue patch on the center of the belly. The undertail coverts are rufous-brown in color. The tail is square and bicolored.  The bill is black and gently decurved. It is similar to the Sparkling Violetear but is distinguished by smaller size, no blue patch on the belly, and rufous-brown undertail coverts.  Also, see Brown Violetear.

Status: The Lesser Violetear is uncommon in the edges and humid montane forest on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1300 – 2800 m. It also occurs in the montane humid forest of the departments of Piura and Cajamarca on the west slope of the Andes where it ranges at elevations between 1400 – 2500 m. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Oreja-Violeta Menor.

Sub-species: Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus crissalis), Todd 1942.

Meaning of Name: Colibri: Spanish name for a hummingbird. cyanotus: Gr. Kuanos= dark-blue; ōtis= eared.

Formerly known as Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus crissalis) (2018).

See more of the Family Trochilidae