About Leucolia viridifrons (D.G.Elliot, 1871)
Species Nomenclature
This species is the violet-crowned hummingbird, with the scientific name Leucolia viridifrons (D.G.Elliot, 1871).
Size Measurements
Adult individuals measure 10 to 11.5 cm (3.9 to 4.5 in) in length and weigh approximately 6.3 g (0.22 oz).
Bill Morphology
Both sexes of both recognized subspecies have a red bill with a black tip.
Nominate Male Upperpart Coloration
For the nominate subspecies, adult males have a glittering bluish green crown, an emerald to bronze green nape and back, and grayish brown to bronze coloring on the rump and uppertail coverts.
Nominate Male Tail Coloration
Their tail is coppery to purplish, with bronze green edges along the feathers.
Nominate Male Underpart Coloration
Their underside, from the throat to the undertail coverts, is pure white, with emerald to bronze green coloring on the sides and bronze green coloring on the flanks.
Nominate Female Plumage
Adult females of the nominate subspecies have similar patterning to males, but differ in having a dark green crown and a bronze green to golden green tail.
L. v. villadai Size Differences
Individuals of the subspecies L. v. villadai of both sexes are very similar to the nominate subspecies, but are somewhat larger overall.
L. v. villadai Plumage Differences
The green plumage on their sides is less extensive than the nominate, which makes their underparts appear more white.
Nominate Subspecies Distribution
The nominate subspecies is found in southern Mexico, from central Guerrero into western Oaxaca.
L. v. villadai Primary Distribution
According to the IOC, Clements, and the AOS, L. v. villadai ranges from Oaxaca into most of Chiapas.
L. v. villadai Extended Distribution
BirdLife International extends the documented range of L. v. villadai into western Guatemala.
Habitat Types
The species inhabits deciduous forest, thorn forest, arid to semi-arid scrublands, gallery forest, and somewhat open landscapes that include scattered trees.
Elevation Range
It occurs at elevations ranging between 60 and 1,400 m (200 and 4,600 ft).
