In our Costa Rican mountain retreat, mornings are a symphony of sounds. The birdsong fills the crisp air, a chorus of chirps, tweets, and whistles that illustrate the soundtrack of your awakening in the rainforest. Among these feathered artists, the Blue-bellied Hummingbird is a dazzling jewel, a twinkling emerald flitting between vibrant flowers.
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A Sparkling Jewel
The Blue-bellied Hummingbird, also known as the Steel-bellied Hummingbird, is a tiny giant. These birds measure only 8 to 11 centimeters (3.1 to 4.3 inches) long, but their presence is far from negligible. The males sport dazzling plumage. Their upper parts shimmer with an iridescent golden-green glow, while their rump and upper tail coverts display a fiery copper or violet hue. The underside is a spectacle in itself – a dark, shimmering golden-green that transforms into stunning blue-green under-tail coverts. The final touch? An elegant, slightly forked tail of pale steel blue that adds a touch of distinction to their swift movements.
The females, although lacking the flamboyant iridescence of the males, are no less beautiful. They share the same basic color palette, but their greens are more subdued, especially on the lower chest and belly. This subtle difference allows for easy identification between the sexes.
An Aerial Life
The Blue-bellied Hummingbird is a creature of semi-open spaces. It favors thickets, savannas, the edges of mature forests, secondary forests, and even gardens. Our mountain retreat offers a perfect habitat, with its clearings and abundant flowering plants. These feathered dynamos feel more at ease in dry areas, although they easily adapt to wetter environments during the dry season. Their altitudinal range is impressive, extending from sea level to a cool altitude of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).
Spotting a Blue-bellied Hummingbird is a delight. They are generally solitary feeders, flitting from flower to flower with astonishing agility. Their wings beat at an incredible rate, a blur that allows them to hover in the air while sipping nectar with their long, slender beak. Watching them is a fascinating display of aerial acrobatics.
Keep an Eye Out!
The Blue-bellied Hummingbird is a resident breeder in Costa Rica, present from southern Nicaragua to the central regions of our country. So, during your next visit to our mountain retreat, keep an eye out for these emerald jewels. They may be tiny, but their bright colors and dazzling aerial flights will leave a lasting impression.
Here are some tips for spotting Blue-bellied Hummingbirds:
- Early mornings and late afternoons are prime feeding times.
- Look for brightly colored flowers, especially tubular ones like hibiscus and heliconias.
- Listen for their high-pitched hum as they hover near flowers.
- Observe forest edges, shrubs, and gardens.
With a bit of patience and these practical tips, you might have the chance to observe the captivating Blue-bellied Hummingbird, a small wonder that adds to the magic of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter notre guide complet sur les oiseaux du Costa Rica.
