The violet-headed hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is the only species in the genus Klais.
Region
Southern Central America to northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Central America (primarily Costa Rica and Panama) into parts of northwestern South America, including the foothills and adjacent lowlands of Colombia, western Venezuela, and western Ecuador. It favors humid foothill and lowland evergreen forests, forest edges, and tall second growth. Frequently found along stream corridors, in light gaps, and at flowering trees in semi-open habitats. It tolerates some disturbance and may visit shaded plantations and gardens near forest.
Altitude Range
100–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This is the sole species in the monotypic genus Klais. Males gather at small leks and deliver persistent, high-pitched songs from exposed perches. They favor foothill forest edges and second growth, often frequenting flowering trees and shrubs. Like most hummingbirds, they supplement nectar with tiny insects for protein.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Outside of breeding and leks, individuals are mostly solitary and defend rich nectar sources. Males form small leks, spacing themselves on exposed perches where they sing persistently to attract females. Nests are small cups placed on horizontal branches or sheltered forks, often over streams or shaded clearings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, tinkling series of thin notes delivered rapidly and repeatedly, often for extended periods. Calls include sharp chips and twitters, especially around feeding sites and leks.
Plumage
Male with brilliant iridescent violet head and throat, glossy green upperparts, and whitish to grayish underparts with greenish sides; tail dusky with pale corners. Female lacks the violet, showing green crown and back, whitish underparts with faint spotting or greenish mottling on the flanks, and a darker tail with pale tips.
Diet
Takes nectar from a variety of small tubular flowers, including forest understory plants, epiphytes, and flowering trees and shrubs. Frequently hawks tiny insects mid-air and gleans small arthropods from foliage to obtain protein. Shifts among flowering patches as resources change, and may defend especially productive blossoms.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and streamside vegetation where flowers are abundant. Often visits second growth and semi-open areas with scattered flowering trees.
