Fiery-throated hummingbird

The fiery-throated hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems" tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Central American highlands

Typical Environment

Occurs in the high mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama, especially the Talamanca Range. It inhabits humid montane cloud forest, elfin forest, and shrubby páramo near the treeline. The species also uses forest edges, clearings, roadsides, and flowering gardens adjacent to native forest. Individuals range from understory shrubs to the canopy, tracking seasonal flower availability. Local elevational movements occur as blooming cycles shift upslope or downslope.

Altitude Range

1400–3500 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size10–12 cm

Wing Span12–15 cm

Male Weight0.0065 kg

Female Weight0.0058 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This striking mountain hummingbird only shows its 'fiery' throat when sunlight hits at the right angle, flashing orange, gold, and copper. It is highly territorial at rich flower patches and may chase away birds much larger than itself. The species is largely sedentary but makes short elevational movements following blooms. Its rapid metabolism demands frequent feeding throughout the day.

Gallery

Very little color is apparent from the side.

Behaviour

Temperament

territorial and bold

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting flights

Social Behavior

Typically solitary at flowers; males vigorously defend nectar sources against conspecifics and other hummingbirds. The female builds a small cup nest of plant fibers and moss, often adorned with lichens, and alone incubates and raises the young. Nests are placed on sheltered branches or fronds along forest edges or clearings.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and twitters delivered from perches or while foraging. It also gives buzzy trills and rapid squeaks during territorial chases.

Unlock detailed bird insights with Pro access today.

Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Fiji bush warbler

The Fiji bush warbler is a species of bird in the family Cettiidae. It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. There are four subspecies occurring on all the main islands of the group. The species has been afforded its own genus, Vitia, in the past, but similarities of egg colour, song and morphology place it firmly within the Horornis bush-warblers.

Fiji goshawk

The Fiji goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be the same species (conspecific) as the brown goshawk of Australia and New Caledonia. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Ovalau. It occupies a range of wooded habitats in Fiji, from natural rainforest to coconut plantations and urban gardens and parks.

Fiji island thrush

Fiji island thrush is a species of passerine in the thrush family Turdidae that is endemic to Fiji. It was formerly considered a subspecies of island thrush, but in 2024 the island thrush was split into 17 separate species by the IOC and Clements Checklist based on morphological and phylogenetics differences.

Fiji parrotfinch

The Fiji parrotfinch is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Fiji that was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the red-headed parrotfinch. This parrotfinch is a small, mainly green bird with a red head and tail and a stubby dark grey bill. It is found in both forested and open habitats, and has adapted well to man-made environments such as grasslands, pasture and gardens. Pairs have a courtship display in which they fly above the trees in an undulating flight, calling constantly. Breeding birds build a domed grass nest with a side entrance, and lay a clutch normally of four white eggs. Newly hatched chicks are naked and pink, with blue balls at the upper and lower corners of the gape, and black markings inside the mouth; older fledglings resemble the adults, but lack the red head colouring. The Fiji parrotfinch eats seeds, especially of grasses, and also readily feeds on insects and nectar. It forms small flocks of up to six birds after the breeding season.