White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in). The male White-necked Jacobin has a blue head and breast with a white crescent on the hind neck. The upperparts are iridescent green. The belly and tail are snowy white in the adult male. The female is green above with a scaled effect on the throat and upper breast. The White-necked Jacobin forages in the canopy of mature forests, forest edges, and old second growth. The male resembles a Black-eared Fairy but is distinguished by having a blue head and breast, and a pure white tail.

Status: The White-necked Jacobin is uncommon in Amazonia where it is known to range at elevations of up to 1200 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Colibrí de Nuca Blanca.

Sub-species: White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora mellivora), Linnaeus 1758.

Meaning of Name: Florisuga: L. flos, floris= flower and suga, sugere= to such. mellivora: L. mel, mellis=honey and vorus, vorare= eater, devouring.

See more of the Family Trochilidae