The Purple-crowned Fairy Hummingbird (Heliothryx barroti) is a tiny, colorful hummingbird found in Central America. With an average body length of only 7-8 cm and weight of 2-3 grams, it is one of the smallest hummingbirds in the world. This species gets its name from the vibrant purple crown on the top of the male’s head. The females lack this crown and have green heads instead.
Range and Habitats
The purple-crowned fairy hummingbird is endemic to the tropical forests of Central America. Its range extends from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It occupies a variety of habitats including tropical lowland rainforests, cloud forests, forest edges, and semi-open areas. They tend to prefer humid environments near streams, rivers or wetlands where blossoming plants and flowers provide nectar.
Appearance and Identification
The vibrant purple cap on the head of the male makes this species easy to identify. The crown may appear black in certain light conditions. Males also have an iridescent green throat, blue tail, and mostly green body plumage with whitish undersides. Females lack the purple crown and have green heads instead. Their throats are speckled with green and white, and they have greyish-green underparts. The tail has white tips and a rufous base. Juveniles resemble adult females.
Diet and Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, the purple-crowned fairy feeds on nectar from blooming flowers and plants. Their long, slender beak allows them to access nectar deep within flowers. Some favorite nectar sources include heliconia, ginger, and banana flowers. They use their extensible tongues to lap up nectar while hovering in front of flowers. These energetic little birds also consume small insects for essential proteins. By catching tiny insects like gnats, fruit flies, and spiders in midair, they obtain nutrients not found in nectar.
Behavior and Reproduction
Purple-crowned fairies often feed alone or in pairs, aggressively defending flower territories from intruders. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying back and forth in U-shaped patterns to impress females. During mating, the male climbs onto the female’s back and holds onto her with his feet while coupling briefly in flight. The female alone builds a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens on a low tree branch. She lays two pea-sized white eggs and incubates them for 15-18 days. The chicks hatch with eyes closed and almost no feathers. They are carefully fed regurgitated insect matter and nectar by the female until leaving the nest at 22-26 days old.
Migration
This species does not migrate and maintains year-round residency in its Central American range. Individuals may make minor elevational movements to follow the blooming of nectar sources, but do not make long distanced migrations.
Threats and Conservation
Habitat loss from deforestation throughout Central America is the biggest threat facing the purple-crowned fairy hummingbird. Agricultural development, logging, and human settlement have caused declines by reducing suitable forest habitat. Predation by birds and reptiles also take a toll on nesting birds and fledglings. However, this species remains relatively common across most of its range. Protecting key forest habitats and flowering plants will be important for conservation of the purple-crowned fairy hummingbird.
Fun Facts
– The purple-crowned fairy is Central America’s second smallest hummingbird after the bee hummingbird.
– Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover effortlessly in place while feeding.
– Males make loud insect-like buzzing and twittering sounds with their tails during courtship displays. This is produced by specialized tail feathers.
– They build tiny nests less than 2 inches wide on low horizontal branches, often overhanging rivers and streams.
– Their long slender bill accounts for around 1/3 of their total body length.
– Like all hummingbirds, they have remarkably weak feet and legs. They spend nearly their entire lives in flight.
– Their heart rate can reach over 1,200 beats per minute during flight.
– They aggressively defend nectar sources from other hummingbirds, bees, and insects.
– To conserve energy at night, they enter a hibernation-like state called torpor where their metabolic rate slows.
– Their tongues have forked tips to lap up nectar and collect insects.
– Males establish feeding territories during the breeding season which they aggressively defend from intruders.
In summary, the purple-crowned fairy is a fascinating, diminutive hummingbird adapted to feed on nectar and insects in the tropical forests of Central America. Their beautiful colors and energetic flight make them a joy to observe in the wild or in aviaries. Protecting their sensitive forest habitats will be crucial for ensuring the future survival of these captivating tiny birds. With proper habitat conservation, ecotourism and responsible development, the purple-crowned fairy hummingbird will continue to brighten Central America’s forests with its flashes of vibrant color.