Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Overview

The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is restricted to high-elevation cloud forest, forest edge, and paramo-like habitats in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. Its range is relatively small, but within suitable habitat it can be a common and conspicuous hummingbird.

The combination of an overall glittering blue-green body with a distinctive fiery orange-red throat patch, itself framed by a band of blue, gives this species a especially vivid, multi-colored appearance in good light.

Feather ID Notes

Body feathers show a glittering blue-green iridescence overall, while the throat carries a separate fiery orange to red patch bordered above by an iridescent blue band - a distinct multi-color pattern rather than a single-toned gorget. The crown can also show blue-violet iridescence in some light.

• Body feathers: blue-green, glittering
• Throat patch: fiery orange-red, bordered by blue
• Crown feathers: blue-violet iridescence in certain light
• Tail: dark, moderately forked This layered blue-green body with a bordered orange-red throat patch is not matched by other hummingbirds within its restricted range, aiding identification.

Plumage Details

Sexes are fairly similar in the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, both showing the blue-green body and orange-red throat patch, though females may show a somewhat less extensive or vivid patch. Juveniles are duller with reduced iridescence. There is no strong seasonal plumage change, with an annual molt maintaining feather quality.

Habitat & Range

This species is restricted to high-elevation cloud forest, forest edge, and adjacent scrubby or paramo-like habitat in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is a year-round resident within this limited range rather than a long-distance migrant.

Behavior & Field Notes

Fiery-throated Hummingbirds feed on nectar from high-elevation flowering plants, often including flowering shrubs along forest edges and clearings, and also take small insects. They can be territorial around good nectar sources, including feeders in some areas. Nests are small, cup-shaped structures built in dense vegetation. Calls include sharp chips and twittering notes.