Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans)

Identification & Behavior: ~13.5 cm (5.3 in).  The Sparkling Violetear is “sparkling” green with conspicuous violet sides of the cheeks and ear tufts. It has a blue patch on the belly. The undertail coverts are green with feathers fringed with whitish. The tail is green and square with a dark terminal band.  The bill is black and gently decurved. It is similar to the Lesser Violetear but is distinguished by larger size, the large blue patch on the belly, and white-fringed green feathers on the undertail coverts.

Status: The Sparkling Violetear is the more common and widespread of all violetears. It occurs on the west and east slope of the Andes within a broad elevation range that includes 400 – 4500 m. It is known to undergo altitudinal migrations. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, Ch.

Name in Spanish: Oreja-Violeta de Vientre Azul.

Sub-species: Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans coruscans), Gould 1846.

Meaning of Name: Colibri: Spanish name for a hummingbird. coruscans: L. bright, sparkling.

See more of the Family Trochilidae