Juan Fernandez Firecrown
Sephanoides fernandensis
Stunning and rather large hummingbird, found only on Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago. Locally fairly common in gardens, forest edges, native scrub, and groves of non-native Eucalyptus trees. Male is bright rusty orange overall with iridescent “firecrown” and an amazing song. Female looks very different: green above with a blue crown and flashy white tail sides, and white below with blue-green spotting. Smaller and very differently plumaged Green-backed Firecrown also occurs in same areas.
Identification
Stunning and rather large hummingbird, found only on Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago. Locally fairly common in gardens, forest edges, native scrub, and groves of non-native Eucalyptus trees. Male is bright rusty orange overall with iridescent “firecrown” and an amazing song. Female looks very different: green above with a blue crown and flashy white tail sides, and white below with blue-green spotting. Smaller and very differently plumaged Green-backed Firecrown also occurs in same areas.
Taxonomy
Genus: Sephanoides; Family: Trochilidae; Order: Apodiformes.
- Scientific name
- Sephanoides fernandensis
- Authority
- (King, PP, 1831)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Sephanoides
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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