The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is a jewel-like species native to the high-altitude cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama. Known for its iridescent plumage and dynamic behavior, it is one of the most striking hummingbirds in the region.
Description
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is a small bird, approximately 11 cm in length, and weighs around 5 to 6 grams. It is famous for its stunning iridescent feathers that change color depending on the light. Key features include:
- Plumage: Metallic green body with shimmering blue on the crown. Its most distinctive feature is the fiery throat, which can display shades of orange, red, yellow, and blue when light hits it at the right angle.
- Bill: Straight and black, adapted for feeding on nectar.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal; males and females look quite similar, though females may be slightly less vibrant.
Range and Habitat
Global Range:
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is endemic to the high-altitude forests of Costa Rica and western Panama. It inhabits altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 3,800 meters, favoring cloud forests, highland shrublands, and forest edges.
Costa Rica Specific:
In Costa Rica, you can find these birds particularly in the highlands of :
- Talamanca Range
- Cerro de la Muerte
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (more rare)
It thrives in regions with cool temperatures, abundant moisture, and dense vegetation, often seen hovering around flowers at the forest canopy level.
Diet
Like other hummingbirds, the Fiery-throated Hummingbird primarily feeds on nectar, playing an important role in pollination. It has a particular preference for:
- Flowering plants, especially species like bromeliads and fuchsias.
- Insects: It supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein.
Its foraging behavior is highly territorial. The bird fiercely defends its feeding territories from other hummingbirds and insects.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird Behavior and Ecology
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is an active and fast-flying bird. It often perches on high branches between feeding sessions. Key behavioral traits include:
- Territoriality: Males are highly territorial, aggressively chasing away intruders from their chosen feeding areas.
- Courtship Display: Males use their vibrant throat feathers in courtship displays, which are enhanced by the unique iridescence.
- Flight: It hovers deftly while feeding, using rapid wingbeats, and can move with incredible agility.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season varies depending on the altitude but typically occurs from October to February. Females are responsible for nest construction, usually building a small, cup-shaped nest from plant fibers, moss, and lichens.
- Clutch Size: Typically two white eggs.
- Incubation Period: About 14–19 days, with the female solely responsible for incubating the eggs.
- Fledgling: The chicks fledge around 20–25 days after hatching.
Vocalizations
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird has a high-pitched, repetitive call, often described as a “tzeet” sound. Though not particularly musical, the calls are used to defend feeding territories and communicate with mates.
Migration Patterns
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is considered non-migratory, largely staying within its high-altitude habitats year-round. However, some short altitudinal movements are observed, particularly during cooler months when food sources at higher elevations become scarce, prompting the birds to move slightly lower in search of nectar-rich plants.
In Costa Rica, these movements are most notable in areas like the Talamanca Range, where the birds descend to more temperate zones.
Conservation Status
Despite being relatively common within its range, the Fiery-throated Hummingbird is highly dependent on intact cloud forest ecosystems. It is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, but habitat degradation due to deforestation and climate change poses future risks. Conservation efforts in Costa Rica, particularly within the national parks and reserves, play a vital role in protecting the species’ natural habitat.
Birdwatching Tips in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the best country to observe the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, especially in the high-altitude regions. Top locations include:
- Cerro de la Muerte: One of the premier spots, particularly in the Paramo and cloud forests around 3,000 meters. Look for the bird near flowering plants and feeders in eco-lodges.
- Quetzal National Park: A great place for observing hummingbirds in pristine highland habitats.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Though slightly lower in elevation, Monteverde provides semi-reliable opportunities to spot Fiery-throated Hummingbirds among other species of the highlands.
When planning to spot them:
- Best Time to Visit: The highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama have consistent weather patterns and this bird can be seen year round.
- Equipment: Bring binoculars with good close-focusing ability to see their iridescent colors in detail. A camera with a fast shutter speed is ideal for capturing their fast movements.
- Patience: Be patient and watch flowering shrubs, where hummingbirds often return to feed.
Fun Facts
- Color Changing Feathers: The Fiery-throated Hummingbird’s iridescent colors are not due to pigmentation but the microscopic structure of the feathers, which reflects light at different wavelengths.
- Energy Metabolism: These birds have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal, with heart rates exceeding 1,200 beats per minute during flight.
- Endemic to Costa Rica and Western Panama. Costa Rica and Panama are lucky to be the only countries in the world to host this beautiful bird.
- Bees are their friends. The Fiery-throated Hummingbirds depend on Bees and the common Slaty-Flowerpiercer to produce holes in epiphytic flowers. The opportunistic hummingbirds use the holes to feed on nectar.
- Fiercely territorial: Despite their small size, the Fiery-throated Hummingbird is serious about its feeding territory. Both male and females patrol their grounds and won’t hesitate to chase off not just other hummingbirds but also larger highland birds.
- Like the nightlife: While most hummingbirds will cease feeding about 15 minutes before sunset, the Fiery-throated doesn’t mind the darkening skies. They will continue to feed for 15-30 minutes after the sun sets.
- Not the top vocalists of the highlands: This species does not have a true, identifying song. They squeak and call in a combination of buzzy clicks and high pitched squeaks and snaps. They are sometimes confused with Manikins. Both sexes will chitter rapidly when their feeding territory is being invaded.
- Smart Builders: The Fiery-Billed Hummingbird uses sticky spider webs to secure their nests, making them strong and resilient to weather. They also decorate the outside with moss and lichen to disguise the nest and hide their eggs and chicks from predators.