The Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) is a species of hummingbird found in tropical regions of South America. With its vibrant green crown and throat and bright white underparts, it is one of the most colorful hummingbirds in its range.
Description
The Green-crowned Brilliant measures around 11-12 cm (4.5 in) in length. As its name suggests, its crown and throat are a striking emerald green. The breast is white, while the back and tail are a deep green color. The bill is long, straight and black. The legs and feet are also black. The male and female are similar in appearance, but the female has more white on the throat and breast. Juveniles have buffy edges to the green feathers.
There are three recognized subspecies of the Green-crowned Brilliant, which differ slightly in size and color intensity:
– H. j. jacula – nominate, found in east Colombia and north Venezuela
– H. j. puruensis – found in southeast Colombia, east Ecuador, northeast Peru and northwest Brazil
– H. j. veraguensis – found in Costa Rica and western Panama
Distribution and Habitat
The Green-crowned Brilliant has a wide distribution across northern and central South America. Its range extends from Costa Rica in the north down through Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and extreme western Brazil. It is generally uncommon to locally fairly common within this range.
This hummingbird inhabits tropical lowland and foothill forest, second growth, plantations and gardens from sea level up to 1200 m in elevation. It has a preference for forest edges and semi-open areas. It is also attracted to colorful flowering plants and nectar feeders in gardens.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, the Green-crowned Brilliant feeds on flower nectar and tiny insects. It uses its long, specialized tongue to drink nectar while hovering in front of the flower. It also hunts small insects such as flies, mosquitoes and spiders. The brilliant favors flowers with red or orange tubular blossoms, including poinsettia, firecracker plant, honeysuckle and croton.
Behavior
The Green-crowned Brilliant lives alone or in pairs, only coming together to mate. The male performs aerial displays during courtship, diving and rising in u-shaped patterns to impress the female.
Females build a small cup nest out of plant fibers bound with spider silk on a low horizontal branch or tree fern. She lays two tiny white eggs. She cares for the chicks alone, feeding them regurgitated food. The chicks fledge in about 3 weeks.
Like other tropical hummingbirds, the brilliant is highly aggressive and territorial. It will fiercely chase away intruders, even larger birds, from its feeding areas. It has various chipping and twittering vocalizations.
Conservation Status
The Green-crowned Brilliant has a very wide range and is fairly common in most of its territory. Its population is suspected to be stable and does not approach the threshold for vulnerable under the population size criterion. For these reasons, the IUCN Red List categorizes this species as Least Concern.
However, hummingbirds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, as well as climate change impacts. Preservation of tropical forests throughout South America will be important for the future survival of species like the Green-crowned Brilliant. Providing gardens with native flowering plants can also support these essential pollinators.
Fun Facts
– The genus name Heliodoxa comes from the Greek helios meaning “sun” and doxa meaning “glory”, likely referencing the brilliant plumage.
– The green crown of the male produces an iridescent glow under certain light angles, caused by the refraction of light from specialized feather structures. Females have more sparse crown feathers.
– The long, specialized tongue of hummingbirds allows them to drain nectar from tubular blooms. It extends past the tip of the bill and has forked tips to lap up nectar.
– Green-crowned Brilliant’s wings can beat up to 15 times per second and they can fly forwards, backward and upside down!
– Hummingbirds have unusually fast metabolisms – a Brilliant’s heart rate can reach up to 1260 beats per minute. They must feed frequently to fuel their high energy lifestyle.
In summary, the vivid Green-crowned Brilliant is a tropical gem of South America’s hummingbird family. Protecting rainforest habitats will ensure the future of these energetic pollinators with their glittering green crowns. Their acrobatic flight, pugnacious behavior and specialized adaptations continue to fascinate ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.