Selasphorus scintilla (Gould, 1851)

Common Name and Length

Selasphorus scintilla, commonly called the scintillant hummingbird, measures just 6.5–8 cm (2.6–3.1 in) in total length including the bill.

Weight

Males weigh 2 g (0.071 oz), while females weigh 2.3 g (0.081 oz).

Size Relative to Other Species

It is one of the smallest bird species alive today, and is only marginally larger than the bee hummingbird.

Bill Characteristics

Its bill is short, straight, and black.

Adult Male Upperparts and Tail

Adult male scintillant hummingbirds have bronze-green upperparts and a rufous tail with black striping.

Adult Male Throat and Underparts

They have a brilliant red throat, which is separated from their cinnamon-colored underparts by a white neck band.

Adult Female Plumage

Females have a similar overall appearance, but their throat is buff with small green spots, and their flanks are a richer rufous.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile birds resemble adult females, but have rufous fringes on their upperpart plumage.

Habitat

This hummingbird inhabits brushy forest edges, coffee plantations, and sometimes gardens.

Altitude Range

It occurs at altitudes between 900–2,000 m (3,000–6,600 ft), and can be found up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) when not breeding.