Naturalist Notes: Blue-chinned Sapphire Hummingbird

My favorite hummingbird is the Blue-chinned Sapphire. To me they seem unlike most hummingbirds, in that this species is extremely timid.  In all my years as a naturalist I have never observed them chasing off, or aggressively defending their territory from others. In fact, they are the ones often bullied and harassed, this may explain why they hardly ever hang around.

This remarkable species has a sparkling blue-chinned, which seems even more metallic in the sunlight. The males throat and chest is shimmering green, both sexes have white thigh feathers. The Blue-chinned Sapphire can sometimes be confused with the Copper-rumped hummingbird, but lacks the coppery color.

Whenever I see a Blue-chinned Sapphire it always puts a smile on my face.

© Denise Etienne