| Violet-bellied hummingbird | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Strisores |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Genus: | Chlorestes |
| Species: | C. julie |
| Binomial name | |
| Chlorestes julie (Bourcier, 1843) | |
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| Synonyms | |
Juliamyia julie, Damophila julie | |
The violet-bellied hummingbird (Chlorestes julie) is a species of hummingbird characterized by the male's shimmering violet belly. [3]
The scientific name of this bird is currently Chlorestes julie, however, it was previously described as Juliamyia julie. [4] Its genus being Chlorestes which is in the hummingbird family: Trochilidae. [5] This family belongs to the order Apodiformes which includes hummingbirds and swifts. [6] Within this species rank are three subspecies: panamensis, julie, and feliciana. [3] Each are only separated by very minute features. Chlorestes julie panamensis occurs in Panama and has a head the same dull metallic green color as its back. [4] Chlorestes julie julie and feliciana both have a brilliant green metallic back although julie has a shorter bill (14.5 mm) and a bluer belly whereas feliciana has a longer bill (15.1 mm) and a more violet belly. [4] While julie occurs in Northern Columbia, feliciana occurs in western Ecuador and the extremely northwestern parts of Peru. [3]
The violet-bellied hummingbird is characterized by the male's shimmering violet belly. [3] The rest of its body is just as brilliant; its back and crown being a metallic green. [3] The violet belly, however, is not shared between the sexes as this species exhibits sexual dimorphism. [7] The characteristics they do share include long, rounded tails, straight and short bills, and pink lower mandibles. [7] [3]
Adult:
Juvenile plumage has only been documented for immature males. They appear similar to an adult female although they may have some patches of violet on their belly or a sparkling green foreneck. [3] [7]
The molt pattern of this species is also yet to be described.
Violet-bellied hummingbirds are very easily confused with woodnymphs. [3] The green crowned woodnymph, in particular, has a similar color and shape and their ranges overlap. [9] To tell them apart, you must check their size, color, and tail; violet-bellied hummingbirds are smaller, their backs are green instead of violet, and their tails are rounded, not notched. [3] Green crowned woodnymphs also have a violet forecrown. [3] Another similar species is the Sapphire-throated Hummingbird because of its colors. [3] However, it has a blue throat, a green belly, and a notched tail. [3]
Violet-bellied hummingbirds are found in central Panama, through Columbia, extending to southwestern Ecuador and the extreme northwestern point of Peru. [3] Different subspecies have different habitats within this range (see Taxonomy and Systematics section). None of which experience seasonal migration. [3] This species is present in the understory of humid deciduous forests, forest edges, and regrowth forests. [3]
As with many species of hummingbirds, violet-bellied hummingbirds seem to be polygynous. [3] Males mate with multiple females and attract them by singing on perches about 1–10 m high. [3] They may also fly in a 'u' shape in front of the females. [10] However, after mating, they leave the female to rear the young. [10] Individuals do not mate for life nor do they aggregate in flocks. [10]
The females are responsible for creating nests and rearing the young. [10] She creates a nest from plant fibers, animal hair and feathers in a shrub or a tree, approximately 1.2 to 4.2 m above ground. [10] [3] She will then incubate the clutch of two white eggs, each 8 by 13 mm. [3] Incubation lasts 15 days followed by a 20–22 day nestling period. [3] The chicks are altricial when they hatch and thus rely on their mother to feed and defend them. [10] If successful, violet-bellied hummingbirds go on to live for approximately 4.2 years. [11]
Violet-bellied hummingbirds are primarily considered nectarivorous but may more accurately be called omnivorous. [3] They consume nectar from plants in the Rubiaceae, Ericaceae, Gesneriaceae (Besleria), and Fabaceae (Inga) families. [3] They also eat small arthropods, as do many other species of hummingbirds. [3] Males may defend their feeding territory from other males and large insects. [10] Although violet-bellied hummingbirds do not form flocks, they may congregate at fruit trees and feeders. [9] The violet-bellied hummingbird's predators are not known.
According to their IUCN Red List conservation status of least concern, the violet-bellied hummingbird does not seem to be threatened. [11] They are tolerant to disturbed areas such as forest edges. [3]
Tourists and locals alike may join in bird watching tours around Panama where the violet-bellied hummingbird is one of the featured birds. [12]
The violet-bellied hummingbird is assessed as least concern by the IUCN Red List conservation status. [11] Their population remains large and they have a wide distribution. [11]
