Here at our Costa Rican mountain retreat, nature unfolds in all its glory right outside your balcony. Vibrant butterflies flit between flowers, exotic calls echo through the trees, and today, we turn our gaze to a tiny titan, the dazzling Sapphire-throated Hummingbird.

This emerald wonder graces the skies of our mountain haven, adding a touch of magic to the air. But its beauty extends far beyond its captivating colors. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of the Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, a resident of these lush Costa Rican mountains.

A Glimmer of Green and Sapphire

The aptly named Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Chrysuronia coeruleogularis) is a medium-sized hummingbird, typically reaching a length of just over 3 inches. Males are the true stars of the show, adorned in a coat of shimmering metallic green feathers. Their crowning glory, however, is the dazzling throat patch. This iridescent area shimmers with a deep, rich sapphire blue, catching the sunlight at every turn. In some lighting, it can even appear almost black, adding an air of intrigue to their appearance.

Females, while lacking the flashy throat patch, are no less beautiful. They sport a similar green plumage on the upper body, transitioning to a whitish underbelly. Both males and females possess a characteristic long, forked tail, adding to their graceful aerial maneuvers.

A Life on the Wing

Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds are marvels of adaptation. Their wings are a blur of motion, beating at an incredible pace of up to 80 times per second. This phenomenal feat allows them to achieve a unique form of flight – hovering. Unlike most birds, they can suspend themselves mid-air, perfectly positioned to sip nectar from flowers.

Their diet revolves around this sweet nectar, making them vital pollinators for the mountain flora. Their long, slender bills act as siphons, extracting the sugary liquid with impressive speed. They also supplement their diet with tiny insects, adding a protein boost to their energy-intensive lifestyle.

A Mountain Home

The Sapphire-throated Hummingbird prefers dry woodlands, scrublands, and surprisingly, even mangrove forests. Here in the Costa Rican mountains, they find a haven in the diverse vegetation, flitting between flowering trees and shrubs.

While primarily found in Panama and Colombia, their range has recently expanded to include Costa Rica, making our mountain retreat a prime location to witness these dazzling creatures.

A Spark of Joy

These tiny dynamos are a constant source of wonder at our retreat. Their iridescent feathers flash in the sunlight as they zip between flowers, their wings creating a soft hum. Watching them hover and feed is a mesmerizing experience, a testament to the delicate balance and beauty of the natural world.

So, keep your eyes peeled during your stay at our mountain retreat. You might just spot a flash of green and sapphire, a tiny jewel flitting through the air – the captivating Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, a resident treasure of our mountain paradise.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica