Berylline Hummingbird

Overview

The Berylline Hummingbird occupies pine-oak canyons and woodland in the mountains of Mexico, with occasional records extending into the southwestern United States. Its overall coppery-green coloring can look similar to several related Amazilia hummingbirds, but the rufous wing patches are a helpful and fairly reliable additional clue.

Both sexes show broadly similar coloring, with a metallic green to coppery-bronze wash across the throat, breast, and back, set off by chestnut-rufous tones visible in the wing when the bird is in flight or preening.

Feather ID Notes

Body feathers show a rich coppery-green iridescence across throat, breast, and upperparts, without a sharply defined gorget patch. In flight, the primaries and secondaries show a rufous or chestnut cast, visible as a flash of warm color against the greener body - a useful mark not present in some similar species.

• Throat/breast feathers: coppery-green, glossy
• Wing feathers: rufous-chestnut tones, visible in flight
• Tail feathers: dark, often with a bronzy or rufous tinge
• Bill: red with a dark tip The rufous wing tones combined with overall coppery-green body color help distinguish this species from plainer green Amazilia hummingbirds.

Plumage Details

Males and females are broadly similar, both showing the coppery-green body and rufous wing patches, though females may appear marginally duller. Juveniles show less saturated coloring and more diffuse rufous in the wing. There is no strong seasonal plumage variation, with feather quality refreshed by an annual molt.

Habitat & Range

This species is found in pine-oak forest, canyons, and woodland edge at moderate elevations primarily in Mexico, with the northern edge of its range occasionally reaching into the mountains of the southwestern United States. Most populations are resident, though some local elevational movement occurs outside the breeding season.

Behavior & Field Notes

Berylline Hummingbirds feed on nectar from a variety of flowering trees and shrubs in oak and pine woodland and supplement their diet with small insects caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation. They can be territorial at productive nectar sources, including feeders where present. Nests are small, well-camouflaged cups built on horizontal branches. Calls include sharp chip notes and buzzy chattering during territorial disputes.