HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Coppery-Headed Emerald

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Elvira cupreiceps

The Coppery-Headed Emerald is a small hummingbird with obviously decurved bill.

It measures a mere 3 inches in length, and weighs only 3 grams.

Males are mostly glittering green with coppery crown and bright white outer tail feathers.

Females are similar but with white underparts. They have a narrow black subterminal band on white outer rectrices of the tail. Bill shape and white outer tail feathers are enough for identification.

Feeds on nectar and small invertebrates.

Found in the canopies and edges of tropical and sub-tropical mountain moist forests at altitudes of 700-1500 m.

Endemic to Costa Rica. It is only found in the mountain ranges in the north and central parts of the country, in Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilarán.

The female builds a nest cup in a tree, typically made of lichens and spider webs. There she lays 2 white eggs which she incubates alone for 14 - 19 days.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://ebird.org
http://planetbirds.blogspot.com