Panterpe insignis Cabanis & Heine, 1860

Taxonomy and Length

The fiery-throated hummingbird, with the scientific name Panterpe insignis Cabanis & Heine, 1860, measures 10.5 to 11 cm (4.1 to 4.3 in) in total length.

Weight

Males weigh 5.9 to 6.2 g (0.21 to 0.22 oz), while females weigh 4.9 to 5.2 g (0.17 to 0.18 oz).

Plumage Uniformity

Males and females of the same subspecies have identical plumage.

Common Morphological Traits

All individuals of the species have a mostly black bill, with a pink base to the lower mandible, and a small white spot behind the eye.

Nominate Subspecies Head Plumage

The nominate subspecies P. i. insignis has a glittering royal blue crown, with the rest of the face and nape colored black.

Nominate Subspecies Upperparts Plumage

Its back is bright metallic green, which shifts to bluish green on the uppertail coverts, and its tail is blue-black.

Nominate Subspecies Throat Plumage

The center of its throat is a brilliant rosy coppery orange, and the sides of the throat are golden green.

Nominate Subspecies Underparts Plumage

It has a violet-blue patch on the center of the breast, and the rest of its underparts range from bright green to blue-green.

P. i. eisenmanni Size and Bill

Subspecies P. i. eisenmanni is slightly smaller than the nominate subspecies, but has a much shorter bill.

P. i. eisenmanni Trunk Plumage

Its black neck plumage extends onto the upper back, and the blue-violet plumage of its chest extends into the belly.

P. i. eisenmanni Uppertail Coverts

Its uppertail coverts are mostly blue.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies of fiery-throated hummingbird is distributed from the Cordillera de Tilarán in north-central Costa Rica, southeast to the Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí provinces of far western Panama.

P. i. eisenmanni Distribution

P. i. eisenmanni is only found in the Cordillera de Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica.

Forest Habitat Types

This hummingbird species lives in a variety of wooded landscapes, including montane forest, cloudforest, and elfin forest.

Open Habitat Types

It also occurs in more open landscapes such as the lower edge of páramo, secondary forest, and tree-dense pastures.

Microhabitat Use

It mostly stays in the forest canopy, but can also be found in low shrubs at forest edges and in clearings.

Northern Elevational Range

In northern and north-central Costa Rica, it occurs at elevations from 1,600 m (5,250 ft) up to mountain summits of 2,000 m (6,560 ft).

Southern Elevational Range

Further south in higher mountains, its elevational range is between 2,200 and 3,200 m (7,220 and 10,500 ft).