Amazilia rutila (Delattre, 1843)

Common Name and Size

Amazilia rutila, commonly called the cinnamon hummingbird, measures 9.5 to 11.5 cm (3.7 to 4.5 in) long and has an average weight of 5 to 5.5 g (0.18 to 0.19 oz).

Nominate Subspecies Plumage

For the nominate subspecies A. r. rutila, adult individuals have metallic bronze green upperparts, and underparts colored from cinnamon to cinnamon rufous that are paler on the chin and upper throat. The tail is deep cinnamon rufous to rufous chestnut, with dark metallic bronze tips on all feathers and dark metallic bronze outer edges on the outermost feathers.

Wing and Bill Morphology

The wings are colored dark brownish slate. Males have red bills with black tips, while females have mostly black bills with red at the base.

Juvenile Appearance

Juveniles resemble adults, but have rufous edges on their face, crown, and rump feathers, and an entirely black bill.

Vocalization - Song

The species' song is described as varied, high, thin, slightly squeaky chips that sound like si ch chi-chit, tsi si si-si-sit, or chi chi-chi chi chi, among other patterns.

Vocalization - Call

Its call is recorded as both a buzzy, scratchy tzip and a hard to sharp chik.

Subspecies - A. r. diluta

Four subspecies are recognized: A. r. diluta is similar to the nominate subspecies, but has slightly less intense green upperparts and paler, pinker underparts.

Subspecies - A. r. corallirostris

A. r. corallirostris is also similar to the nominate, but has overall richer and deeper coloration.

Subspecies - A. r. graysoni

A. r. graysoni is significantly larger and darker than the nominate, but is otherwise similar in appearance.

Movement Pattern

The cinnamon hummingbird is a resident species that stays within its range year-round.

Distribution - A. r. diluta

Each subspecies has a distinct distribution: A. r. diluta occurs in the northwestern Mexican states of Sinaloa and Nayarit.

Distribution - A. r. graysoni

A. r. graysoni is found on María Madre Island and Cleopha Island, which are part of the Islas Tres Marías archipelago off the coast of western Mexico.

Distribution - A. r. rutila

The nominate subspecies A. r. rutila occurs in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Oaxaca, as well as El Salvador, western Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Distribution - A. r. corallirostris

A. r. corallirostris ranges from Chiapas in southern Mexico through to El Salvador.

Unclassified Population Affiliation

Populations in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, northeastern Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are most often classified as part of A. r. rutila, but are sometimes classified as part of A. r. corallirostris.

Habitat

The cinnamon hummingbird lives in primary and secondary deciduous and semi-deciduous forests, as well as thorn forest.

Elevation Range

It occurs at elevations ranging from sea level up to approximately 1,600 m (5,200 ft).