Snowy-bellied Hummingbird

The snowy-bellied hummingbird, also known as the snowy-breasted hummingbird, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the "emeralds" tribe Trochilini within the subfamily Trochilinae. This species exhibits a striking plumage that can appear to change color under different lighting conditions.

Identification Tips

Adult males of the snowy-bellied hummingbird typically have bronze-green upperparts with a coppery sheen on the back and rump. Their tails range from bronze to coppery, occasionally with a purple gloss. The throat and chest shimmer with a golden green, while the belly boasts a distinctive V-shaped white center, and the undertail coverts are rufous in color. Females are similar but have a less intense green on their upperparts, a more whitish throat and undertail coverts, and light green tips on the outer tail feathers. Both sexes possess a straight blackish bill with a reddish base on the mandible.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of landscapes, including semi-open areas like savannas, scrublands, forest edges, secondary forests, coffee plantations, and gardens. It can be found from sea level up to 1,600 meters in elevation.

Distribution

The snowy-bellied hummingbird is predominantly found in Costa Rica and Panama, with occasional sightings in Colombia. It is distributed among four subspecies, each occupying different regions within these countries.

Behaviour

The snowy-bellied hummingbird is generally sedentary, though it may undertake local movements in response to seasonal changes and flower availability. It is known to defend feeding territories and forages for nectar at various native and introduced plants.

Song & Calls

The song of the snowy-bellied hummingbird is a soft series of notes, described as "bebeebee, d’beebee" or "tseer tir tir." It also emits "tip" or "tsip" calls, which can be heard in the quiet of its natural habitat.

Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly between September and January, with the nest—a cup of downy fibers adorned with lichens and moss—typically placed on a branch or in a fork of a bush or small tree. The female is responsible for incubating the clutch of two eggs, though the exact incubation period and fledging time remain unknown.

Diet and Feeding

In addition to nectar, the snowy-bellied hummingbird consumes small arthropods, which it captures by hawking from a perch or by gleaning from foliage.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the snowy-bellied hummingbird as Least Concern, with a large range, a population of at least 50,000 mature individuals, and no immediate threats identified. It is considered locally common to common in most of its range, including the islands, though less common in eastern Panama.