Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Chlorestes julie
Small hummingbird found from central Panama to southwestern Ecuador. Males are mostly emerald green with a contrasting purple belly. Females are green above with pale grayish underparts. Note relatively short, straight bill in both sexes. Relatively distinctive but could be confused with a woodnymph; look for smaller size and more compact shape with a straighter bill. Found in forests and edges, often feeding on small flowers at lower to middle levels. Visits feeders.
Identification
The violet-bellied hummingbird is characterized by the male's shimmering violet belly. The rest of its body is just as brilliant; its back and crown being a metallic green. The violet belly, however, is not shared between the sexes as this species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The characteristics they do share include long, rounded tails, straight and short bills, and pink lower mandibles.<p>Adult:<p>Juvenile plumage has only been documented for immature males. They appear similar to an adult female although they may have some patches of violet on their belly or a sparkling green foreneck.<p>The molt pattern of this species is also yet to be described.<p>Violet-bellied hummingbirds are very easily confused with woodnymphs. The green crowned woodnymph, in particular, has a similar color and shape and their ranges overlap. To tell them apart, you must check their size, color, and tail; violet-bellied hummingbirds are smaller, their backs are green instead of violet, and their tails are rounded, not notched. Green crowned woodnymphs also have a violet forecrown. Another similar species is the Sapphire-throated Hummingbird because of its colors. However, it has a blue throat, a green belly, and a notched tail.
Taxonomy
The scientific name of this bird is currently Chlorestes julie, however, it was previously described as Juliamyia julie. Its genus being Chlorestes which is in the hummingbird family: Trochilidae. This family belongs to the order Apodiformes which includes hummingbirds and swifts. Within this species rank are three subspecies: panamensis, julie, and feliciana. Each are only separated by very minute features. Chlorestes julie panamensis occurs in Panama and has a head the same dull metallic green color as its back. Chlorestes julie julie and feliciana both have a brilliant green metallic back although julie has a shorter bill (14.5 mm) and a bluer belly whereas feliciana has a longer bill (15.1 mm) and a more violet belly. While julie occurs in Northern Columbia, feliciana occurs in western Ecuador and the extremely northwestern parts of Peru.
- Scientific name
- Chlorestes julie
- Authority
- (Bourcier, 1843)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chlorestes
Range and habitat
Violet-bellied hummingbirds are found in central Panama, through Columbia, extending to southwestern Ecuador and the extreme northwestern point of Peru. Different subspecies have different habitats within this range (see Taxonomy and Systematics section). None of which experience seasonal migration. This species is present in the understory of humid deciduous forests, forest edges, and regrowth forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Nicator vireo
A shy but loud bird of forests and forest edges that usually stays within cover. Shaped like a greenbul, but has a thicker, more robust bill. Shows grayish underparts, greenish upperparts, yellow spots on the tips of the flight feathers and upperwing coverts, a yellow throat, and yellow lores. Similar to the larger Western Nicator, but note Yellow-throated’s smaller size, yellow throat and lores, and distinctive song, which often betrays its presence: a sputtering series of notes that can be surprisingly resonant and loud, a “p-p-p-po-keer-ko-wheeeer-pop” and other variations. Call is a growling trill, “prrrrrr.”
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Large, pale-eyed songbird of lower and middle elevations of montane forests. Male blood red with inky black head and wings and dark bill; female similar but less richly colored. Juvenile brown above, pale with dark stippling below, paler bill, and tawny undertail coverts. Birds in Taiwan and central Vietnam are much brighter red overall. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with mixed-species flocks. Pairs often engage in an ethereal duet: male gives a series of melodic notes, to which the female responds with a long, airy whistle. Also gives harsh, rasping calls.
Blue Jewel-babbler
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A medium-sized, long-tailed, ground-dwelling bird of lowland forest. Overall deep blue color with a white throat and upper chest, bordered with a broad black band across the chest, up through the eye to the bill. Female has a narrow white eyebrow. Usually separated by elevation from Chestnut-backed and geographically from Dimorphic, with a slight potential overlap, but Blue has a blue back and crown. Song, a slowly repeated, high-pitch whistle followed by an explosive descending “chew”.
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