Brown Violetear
NameBrown Violetear
Common NameBrown Violetear
Scientific NameColibri delphinae
FamilyTrochilidae
Wingspan (cm)15
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)7.5
Plumage DetailsPredominantly dull brown plumage, with darker brown on the head and upperparts, becoming slightly paler on the underparts. It features a prominent iridescent violet-blue patch on the sides of its neck/ear-coverts. The tail is dark, and the bill is long, straight, and black with a yellowish base to the lower mandible.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of sharp, high-pitched 'chip' notes and a rapid, chattering 'tsip-tsip-tsip' sound.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread in Central and South America, ranging from Costa Rica and Panama south through the Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, extending into parts of Brazil and the Guianas.
Identifying FeaturesOverall dull brown plumage, Iridescent violet-blue ear patch, Relatively large size for a hummingbird, Long, straight black bill with yellowish lower mandible base, Found at higher elevations in humid forests
Description
The Brown Violetear is a relatively large, dull-colored hummingbird characterized by its overall brownish plumage and a distinctive iridescent violet-blue patch on its ear-coverts. It is often observed foraging for nectar from various flowers or hawking small insects in flight.
