Blue-headed Sapphire

Blue sapphire head ( ♀ above, below ♂ ), presentation by John Gould

The blue sapphire head ( Hylocharis grayi ) or sometimes blue head - Sapphire Hummingbird is a species of bird in the family of hummingbirds ( Trochilidae ). The species has a large distribution area, which covers about 39,700 square kilometers in the South American countries of Colombia and Ecuador. The stock is assessed by the IUCN as not at risk ( least concern ).

Features

The blue sapphire head reaches a body length of about 8-9 centimeters. The straight, coral, pointed beak is about 22 millimeters long. In the male, the largest part of the body is shimmering green. The entire head and the neck shine blue. The slightly forked tail is dark blue. The female is on top of shimmering green; its underside is white with green spots on neck and chest. The black tail has white speckles.

Habitat

The hummingbird is limited to a local area. In the drier inland you see him preferably in the undergrowth or in brighter woods. The bird is usually found at altitudes up to 2000 meters. His home is among other things in the area around Cali and Buga

Behavior

The blue sapphire head feeds on flower nectar of flowering plants of different altitudes. It can be observed together with other birds him in flowering tree crowns. His behavior is remarkably aggressive.

Subspecies

So far, no subspecies are known. Previously we counted the Humboldt sapphire ( Hylocharis humboldtii ) as a subspecies of Hylocharis grayi. Meanwhile, he is recognized as a separate species. The species is considered monotypic.

Etymology and History of Research

Jules Bourcier and Pierre Adolphe Delattre describes the hummingbird originally under the name Trochilus grayi. The species was first discovered in Popayán (Colombia ). Only later was assigned to the genus Hylocharis Boie, 1831.

The word Hylocharis is composed of the Greek words " hyle " for " forest landscape " and " charismatic " for " grace, beauty ' together .. The specific epithet grayi was named in honor of John Edward Gray (1800-1875) awarded.