A small, vibrant hummingbird native to the western coastal regions of North America, known for its distinctive iridescent plumage and remarkable hovering capabilities.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Coastal chaparral, urban gardens, woodland edges, and forest clearings along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico
Ecological Role
Critical pollinator for native flowering plants, plays a significant role in ecosystem maintenance and plant reproduction through nectar feeding behaviors
Morphology
SKIN COATIridescent green and rose-pink feather plumage, males display bright magenta/ruby-red throat patch (gorget)
LIMBS WINGSRapid wing beats up to 50 times per second, enabling precise hovering and backward flight, wings spanning approximately 11-13 cm
HEAD SENSORYLarge eyes, highly developed visual acuity, specialized brain regions for complex flight navigation
BODY STRUCTURECompact body, approximately 9-10 cm in length, weighing 3-6 grams, with a short, slightly curved bill adapted for nectar extraction
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Cat Lee Ball
