Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Overview

The scaly-breasted hummingbird, or scaly-breasted sabrewing (Phaeochroa cuvierii), is a species of hummingbird found across Central America. It inhabits a variety of semi-open to open landscapes and is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length 11.5 to 13 cm with a weight of about 8 to 10 g; the nominate subspecies is the smallest and palest.
• Mostly bronzy green plumage with a grayish buff belly; underpart feathers have buffy edges that create a scaly appearance.
• Tail is mostly bronzy with white tips on the outer two or three pairs of feathers; most subspecies have a mostly black bill with a pink base to the mandible.
• Song is a loud, variable, continuous warble mixing chips, sharp squeaks, and short trills; includes specific calls like 'trrk' and 'tlek'.

Habitat

The species ranges from southern Mexico through Central America to northern Colombia. It inhabits dry forest, forest edges, mangroves, scrublands, and gardens while shunning the interior of closed forest. It usually occupies the understory to mid-strata and is found mainly at low elevations, though locally up to 1,200 m.

Diet

Forages for nectar at flowering trees, shrubs, and bromeliads, hovering or perching on large blooms. Also feeds on arthropods caught by hawking and gleaning from vegetation. It aggressively defends patches of flowers and is dominant over smaller hummingbirds.

Did you know?

Males form assemblages at leks to display for females, and the species builds cup nests from plant down and spiderweb with moss and lichen on the outside.