Photo by: Anthony Lujan
BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD – (Amazilia beryllina)
Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Amazilia
Species: A. beryllina
The Berylline hummingbird (pronounced: berra-line) is a striking species of hummingbird found primarily in Mexico and as far south as Honduras.
Berylline hummingbirds’ iridescent green plumage is named after the Latin word beryllina, meaning “green color,” derived from the mineral beryl.
Male
Berylline Hummingbirds:
The male Berylline hummingbird is identified by its bright iridescent emerald green crown and gorget (head and throat feathers).
Males have vibrant green upperparts with iridescent purple accents which appear black in certain lighting conditions.
Their underbelly is a brownish beige hue with a light shade of green or gray.
The wings are a dark rich brown with nutmeg accents and their forked tail is purplish red.
They weigh between 4 and 5 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.1 inches to 3.9 inches.
They are considered a medium sized hummingbird.
The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird.
This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.
Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained
Photo by: Anthony Lujan
Female
Berylline Hummingbirds:
The female Berylline hummingbird has a more subdued appearance compared to males.
Its upperparts are a dull greenish-gray, lacking the vibrant green coloration seen in males.
Their overall plumage is designed for camouflage and blending into their surroundings, which is important for nesting and avoiding predators.
Read my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)
Read my article:
10 Common Things That Kill Hummingbirds
Photo by: Anthony Lujan
Juvenile
Berylline Hummingbirds:
Both male and female juvenile Berylline hummingbirds look more like adult females, exhibiting an overall brown or gray plumage until they are differentiated as the male begins to acquire the iridescent feathers that are typical of this species of hummingbird.
As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.
Baby
Berylline Hummingbirds:
A baby Berylline hummingbird hatches featherless with closed eyes, relying on its mother for warmth and food.
As it grows, soft feathers emerge, revealing green and bronze hues.
Fed by regurgitated nectar and insects from their mother, they undergo a rapid growth and development process, transitioning from helpless hatchlings to fully fledged, independent birds within a matter of weeks.
Their survival relies heavily on the care provided by their dedicated mother during this critical period.
Read my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)
Hear the sounds of the Berylline hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).
Male Berylline hummingbirds engage in elaborate courtship displays to attract females.
These displays involve aerial acrobatics to showcase their fitness, such as rapid dives and ascents, accompanied by buzzing sounds produced by their wings to attract mates.
Read my article:
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations
Their breeding habitat resides in Central America in lush tropical forests of western Mexico and Honduras.
They prefer habitats that favor oak and pine from the woodlands along with tropical deciduous forests that provide heavy rainfall in the summers and dry winter topography.
Berylline hummingbirds are known to hybridize with the Rivoli’s aka Magnificent hummingbird.
Male Berylline hummingbirds are highly territorial during the breeding season, defending prime feeding and nesting areas from other males.
They engage in aggressive behavior, including aerial chases and vocalizations, to establish and maintain their territories.
See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?