Patagona gigas (Vieillot, 1824)

Taxonomic Naming and First Description

Patagona gigas, commonly known as the giant hummingbird, was first described by Vieillot in 1824.

Body Mass

This species has a body mass ranging from 17 to 31 grams (0.60 to 1.09 ounces), making it approximately twice as heavy as the next largest hummingbird species.

Body Length and Wingspan

It reaches a body length of 23 cm (9.1 in) and has a wingspan of 21.5 cm (8.5 in).

Subspecies Recognition

Two subspecies are recognized, and they can be distinguished visually.

P. g. peruviana Coloration

The subspecies P. g. peruviana is overall yellowish brown, with white coloring on the chin and throat.

P. g. gigas Coloration

In contrast, P. g. gigas is more olive green to brown, and has no white markings on the chin and throat.

General Andean Distribution

The giant hummingbird is widely distributed along the full length of the Andes, occurring on both the eastern and western sides of the mountain range.

Seasonal Migration Metrics

Its documented seasonal migration loop across the Central Andean Plateau is estimated to cover 8,300 km (5,200 mi), and involves an altitude change of about 4,100 m (13,500 ft) over a three week period.

Summer Habitat

During summer, it typically lives in high-altitude scrubland and forests growing along Andean slopes.

Winter Habitat

In winter, it moves to similar types of habitat at lower altitudes.

Altitude Range

The species occupies a very broad altitude range, with specimens collected from locations as low as sea level up to 4,600 m (15,100 ft).

Anthropogenic Distribution Impacts

Giant hummingbirds are fairly resilient to the impacts of urbanisation and agricultural activities, but vegetation removal limits their distribution in dense urban areas and industrial zones.

Summer Southern Migration Range

In summer, the species migrates to temperate regions of South America, reaching as far south as 44° S.

Winter Northern Migration Range

In winter (March to August), it migrates north into warmer tropical climates, and does not usually travel further north than 28° S.

Subspecies Geographic Ranges

The subspecies P. g. peruviana occurs from Ecuador to the southeastern mountains of Peru, while P. g. gigas occurs from northern Bolivia and Chile to Argentina.

Subspecies Contact Zone

Contact between these two currently accepted subspecies most likely happens around the eastern slopes of the north Peruvian Andes.

Pollination Role

In ecological terms, P. gigas is the primary pollinator of the cactus species Oreocereus celsianus.