White-eared Hummingbird

The White-eared Hummingbird, known scientifically as Basilinna leucotis, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the "emeralds" tribe within the hummingbird family. This species exhibits a striking appearance with males brandishing a metallic violet or bluish violet forehead and a mostly black face, accentuated by a wide white stripe behind the eye. The females, while similar, have a more subdued coloration, particularly on the crown and lack the males' brilliant chin and throat.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species can be identified by their straight bills, with males sporting a red bill with a black tip, and females having a mostly blackish bill with some red to orange at the base. The males' upperparts are a bright metallic green to bronze green, while the females' are pale brownish gray to grayish white with metallic bronze green spots.

Habitat

The White-eared Hummingbird is a denizen of montane regions, favoring the interior, clearings, and edges of pine, pine-oak, and pine-evergreen forests.

Distribution

This species' range extends from the southwestern United States down to Nicaragua. The B. l. borealis subspecies is found from southern Arizona into various Mexican states, while the nominate subspecies B. l. leucotis inhabits areas from central and southern Mexico into Guatemala. The B. l. pygmaea subspecies is located in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Behaviour

The White-eared Hummingbird is mostly a year-round resident throughout its range, with some populations withdrawing southward after the breeding season. It is known to defend feeding territories vigorously and can be seen making secretive forays into the territories of larger hummingbird species.

Song & Calls

The song of the White-eared Hummingbird is a repetitive, metallic chipping, while its calls are described as fairly hard, dry chips that may transition into short, quiet gurgles.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by latitude, with northern populations breeding from March to August and those in El Salvador from October to December. Males display in leks to attract females. The female builds a cup-shaped nest adorned with lichens, often placing it up to 6 meters above ground. The species may raise two broods in a season.

Diet and Feeding

The White-eared Hummingbird forages for nectar from a variety of flowering plants and shrubs, mainly at low to mid-levels of vegetation. It also consumes small insects as part of its diet.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the White-eared Hummingbird as Least Concern. It is considered fairly common to common in most of its range and is less vulnerable to habitat fragmentation than many other montane forest species.