He boasts a brilliant purple throat, complemented by a vivid blue crown, and a distinct white line located just behind the eye. In contrast, the female, while slightly less vibrant, still possesses a striking appearance.
Meet the Purple-throated Mountain-gem:
Photo courtesy of Joseph C Boone/CC BY-SA 3.0
The purple-throated mountaingem (Lampornis calolaemus) belongs to the Lampornithini tribe in the Trochilinae subfamily, making it a species of hummingbird, measuring between 10 to 11.5 cm (3.9 to 4.5 inches) in length and weighing 4.5 to 6 g (0.16 to 0.21 oz), this species possesses a medium-length straight black bill. For adult males of the nominate subspecies (L. c. calolaemus), the forehead and crown shimmer with an emerald green to bluish-green hue. Their upperparts exhibit a metallic bronze-green transitioning to bluish or grass green on the uppertail coverts. The face has a dusky bronze-green coloration, and the gorget is a striking metallic violet or purple. The breast showcases bright metallic green tones, while the flanks and belly tend to be duller in bronzy green or gray. The undertail coverts are deep bronzy gray with paler gray margins, and the tail displays a dull blue-black hue.
“Purple throated mountain gem female” by Benjamin Keen is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. (Cropped)
Both males and females from various subspecies share common features such as a white to pale buff stripe behind the eye and a relatively long tail. Adult females of the nominate subspecies sport bright metallic green upperparts that shift to bluish on the uppertail coverts and become somewhat bronzish in other areas. Their faces are predominantly blackish. The throat, breast, and belly exhibit a tawny yellow shade, while the undertail coverts range from dull white to tawny buff. The central tail feathers and upper portions of the others are characterized by a dull metallic green or bronze-green shade, while the lower halves of the outer tail feathers are primarily black with pale gray tips.
Juvenile males of the nominate subspecies resemble adult females, yet they have a dusky chin and throat and brownish-gray undertail coverts with dull white edges.
“Purple-throated Mountain Gem Hummingbird” by Becky Matsubara is licensed under CC BY 2.0. You
All Its natural range includes Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
“Purple-throated Mountain-gem – La Paz – Costa Rica_MG_1918” by fveronesi1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. (Cropped)
The purple-throated mountain-gem occupies humid montane evergreen forests and cloud forests, showing a preference for steep slopes and uneven terrain. Its habitat spans from far southwestern Nicaragua to the Cordillera de Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica.
“purple-throated mountaingem, purple-throated mountain-gem” by William Stephens is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Feeding primarily on nectar, the purple-throated mountain-gem serves as the primary pollinator for species like Psychotria elata and Palicourea lasiorrachis. Both males and females of this species display territorial behavior around patches of flowers. While males protect their territories from other hummingbird species, females, and even males of their own kind, females are less territorial and tend to feed by trap-lining. In addition to nectar, they also consume insects. Males catch insects by hawking from perches, while females hover-glean and beat their wings against foliage to flush out prey.
“purple-throated mountaingem, purple-throated mountain-gem” by Jonathan Eisen is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Breeding occurs between October and April during the rainy season. The female is solely responsible for nest building, incubation, and caring for the nestlings. The nest is an open cup made of plant fibers, moss, and lichen, positioned in the understory on bamboo or in a small tree, typically around 2 meters (7 feet) above the ground. The female incubates a clutch of two white eggs for 17 to 18 days, and fledging takes place 22 to 23 days after hatching.
“purple-throated mountaingem, purple-throated mountain-gem” by Karen and Mike is licensed under CC BY 4.0. (Cropped)
The purple-throated mountain-gem is known for its partial migratory behavior, with some individuals migrating to lower altitudes after the breeding season.
“Purple-throated Mountain-gem, Costa Rica 260A1847” by rolf.riethof is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes the purple-throated mountain-gem as “Least Concern.” While its population is thought to be decreasing.
“purple-throated mountaingem, purple-throated mountain-gem” by Jonathan Eisen is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Why not watch this bird go about his daily life:
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A Bird Who Is Clad In A Suit Of Delicately Washed Out Red, Wearing His Licked Back, Vibrantly Bright Red Crest, With Pride!
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