Chlorestes julie (Bourcier, 1843)

Common Name and Male Key Trait

Chlorestes julie, commonly called the violet-bellied hummingbird, is characterized by the shimmering violet belly found on males.

Male Dorsal Coloration

A male's back and crown are a brilliant metallic green, matching the bright coloration of the rest of its body.

Sexual Dimorphism

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, meaning females do not share the distinctive violet belly seen in males.

Shared Morphological Traits

Both sexes share several common traits: long, rounded tails, straight short bills, and pink lower mandibles.

Geographic Range

Violet-bellied hummingbirds range from central Panama, through Colombia, extending to southwestern Ecuador and the extreme northwestern point of Peru.

Subspecies Range and Movement

Different subspecies occupy different habitats within this overall range, and none of the subspecies perform seasonal migration.

Habitat Preferences

This species occurs in the understory of humid deciduous forests, along forest edges, and in regrowth forests.

Feeding Classification

Violet-bellied hummingbirds are primarily classified as nectarivorous, but they are more accurately described as omnivorous.

Nectar Diet Sources

They feed on nectar from plants in the Rubiaceae, Ericaceae, Gesneriaceae (genus Besleria), and Fabaceae (genus Inga) families.

Arthropod Consumption

Like many other hummingbird species, they also eat small arthropods.

Feeding Territory Defense

Males may defend their feeding territories from other males and large insects.

Social Feeding Behavior

While this species does not form flocks, individual violet-bellied hummingbirds may congregate to feed at fruit trees and feeding stations.

Predator Knowledge

The predators of the violet-bellied hummingbird are not currently known.