The brown violetear is a large hummingbird that breeds at middle elevations in the mountains in Central America, and western and northern South America with isolated populations on Trinidad and in the Brazilian state Bahia.
Region
Central America and the northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs at middle elevations from southern Mexico and Central America into the Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with isolated populations on Trinidad and in Bahia, Brazil. It favors montane forest edges, clearings, second growth, and cloud-forest mosaics. Frequently forages in coffee plantations, flowering gardens, and along roadsides where blooming trees are abundant. Descends locally during mass flowering events and may wander following nectar availability.
Altitude Range
500–2800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The brown violetear is a relatively large hummingbird notable for its iridescent violet ear patch, which it flares during aggressive encounters at flowers or feeders. It often sings persistently from exposed perches—unusual for many hummingbirds—and can dominate flowering trees. Though mainly montane, it makes local movements following blooms and occasionally visits gardens and feeders. Isolated populations occur on Trinidad and in Bahia, Brazil.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary at flowers but may gather where blooms are dense, with dominant individuals defending rich nectar sources. Males sing from exposed perches to advertise and assert territory. The female builds a small cup nest on a horizontal branch or fork and alone incubates and raises the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A persistent series of thin, metallic chips and twitters delivered from a perch; the song carries well through montane forest edges. Calls include sharp tsip notes and dry chatters during aggressive chases.
Plumage
Mostly uniform brown with a slight bronzy-green gloss and an obvious iridescent violet patch on the sides of the head (the 'violetear'). Tail slightly forked and dusky with bronzy tones.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and epiphytes, including Inga, Erythrina, and other montane bloomers. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders captured by hawking and gleaning, providing essential proteins. Often dominates productive flowers and readily visits sugar-water feeders in gardens.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, second growth, and shaded agroforestry such as coffee plantations. Uses perches near flowering trees to sally out for insects and to guard nectar sources.
