Colibri delphinae (R.Lesson, 1839)

Taxonomy and Common Name

The brown violetear (Colibri delphinae) is a large hummingbird.

Breeding Range Core Regions

It breeds at middle elevations in the mountains of Central America, and western and northern South America, primarily the Andes and the tepuis.

Isolated Populations

Isolated populations exist on Trinidad and in Bahia, a state in Brazil.

Breeding Habitat and Non-breeding Dispersal

Its breeding habitat is forest at altitudes between 400 and 1600 m, but this species spreads widely into lowlands when it is not nesting.

Altitudinal Range Overlap

It is replaced at higher altitudes by its relative the lesser violetear (C. cyanotus), but the ranges of the two species overlap widely.

Habitat Use

The brown violetear is typically found high in the canopy of rainforest, tall second growth, and coffee plantations, but it will feed at lower levels along edges and in clearings.

Nest Structure

Its nest is a small cup made of plant down, saddled onto a twig 1–3 meters high in a bush.

Egg Laying

The female lays two white eggs into this nest.

Size

This species is 11.5 cm long and weighs 6.5-7 g, and it is an unmistakable hummingbird.

Overall Plumage Coloration

It is mainly dull brown, with a rufous rump and greyer underparts.

Facial and Throat Markings

It has a violet patch running back and down from the eye, a hermit-like malar stripe, and a glittering green and blue throat stripe.

Bill Morphology

Its bill is relatively short and almost straight.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females are similar to males, but have a smaller throat patch.

Immature Plumage

Immature birds have rufous fringes on their upperpart plumage, and little to no violet coloring behind the eyes.

Vocalization

The song of the brown violetear consists of a vigorous repetition of the chit call.

Lek Behavior

Up to several dozen breeding males sing this song together in loose leks.

Nectar Diet

The brown violetear feeds on nectar from small flowers of trees, shrubs, and epiphytes.

Insect Foraging

It also eats insects, which it often catches in flight through a method called hawking; insects are an essential source of protein for this species.

Aggression Levels

Although the brown violetear is not particularly territorial, it is highly aggressive.

Feeding Site Behavior

At feeding sites, it seems to spend far more time attacking other hummingbirds than it does actually feeding.