Rivoli’s Hummingbird

RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRD aka MAGNIFICENT – (Eugenes fulgens)

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eugenes
Species: E. fulgens

The Rivoli’s hummingbird (pronounced: rivo-lee), previously known as the Magnificent hummingbird, primarily inhabits mountainous regions of the southwestern United States (southern Arizona and New Mexico) through Mexico and all the way down to Nicaragua in Central America.

They were renamed Rivoli’s hummingbird, to honor Victor Massena, Duke of Rivoli, for his contributions to ornithology.

This shift reflects a broader trend in bird naming, moving from descriptive terms to recognizing notable figures in the field.

Male
Rivoli’s Hummingbirds:

Male Rivoli’s hummingbirds are striking and unmistakable with a violet crown and brilliant emerald-green iridescence throat (gorget) that shimmer in sunlight.
Their heads appear black in indirect light. 

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

They have bronze-green backs, velvety black chests, and dark tails with hints of iridescence.
A white postocular (behind the eye) stripe is a key distinguishing feature.

Their long, slightly curved bill is adapted for deep flowers while weighing 6–10 grams and measuring 4.3 –5.5 inches in length.

Female
Rivoli’s Hummingbirds:

The female Rivoli’s hummingbird is more subdued with a duller green coloration, lacking the iridescent emerald sheen of the males.

This plays a crucial role in camouflage, especially during nesting, when they need to stay hidden from predators while incubating eggs and raising their young.

The throat is pale grayish-white, often speckled with small green spots or mottled patterns.
The back and sides of the body are a muted metallic green or bronze-green.

The chest and belly are light gray to whitish in color, creating a soft contrast with the darker back.
Female Rivoli’s also have a faint white stripe behind the eye, though it is less prominent than in males.

See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Rivoli’s Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Rivoli’s hummingbirds, both male and female, resemble adult females with less vibrant coloring and showing a faint white stripe behind the eye.

As the male gradually starts to develop their iridescent plumage within the first year and show distinct markings as they mature they begin to develop the full iridescent throat patch (gorget) or retain the subtler tones in females.

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.

Note: This juvenile still has some white fluffy feathers near his bottom, however he has a full violet crown and a vivid blue-green gorget, indicating he is very close to being an adult and almost through the later stages of adolescence.

Hear the sounds of the Rivoli’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Rivoli’s hummingbirds are thought to be the second largest hummingbird in the United States, with the Blue-throated Mountain-gem being the largest.

They are found in mountainous forests and prefer nesting in evergreen coniferous trees such as pine, fir, and juniper, especially in ravines near streams and creeks. They often forage in open meadows, feeding on nectar from flowers and catching small insects.

In terms of social behavior, Rivoli’s hummingbirds are generally solitary, especially outside of the breeding season. They can be territorial, with males often defending prime feeding territories from other hummingbirds.

See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

They are often seen at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 9,800 feet. Their preference for high-elevation habitats and dense forests makes Rivoli’s hummingbirds challenging to study and observe in the wild.

Though rare, hybridization between Rivoli’s hummingbirds and Berylline, Broad-billed, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, and Violet-crowned hummingbirds occurs.

The oldest known male Rivoli’s hummingbird was 11 years and 2 months old when he was captured and released during a banding expedition in Arizona.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded