From Opus

Atthis ellioti

[edit] Identification

One of the world's smallest birds with a length of only 7cm (2.7"). Short, needle-like bill. Both sexes green above, with a rufous tail with a dark subterminal band and white tail tips. Male has a pale line behind the eye, a purple gorget and white underparts with darker flanks. Female lacks the line behind the eye, has dark spots on the throat and has buffy flanks.

[edit] Similar Species

Bill shape best separates it from Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Broad-tailed Hummingbird. The very similar Bumblebee Hummingbird, from further north in Mexico, is allopatric.

[edit] Distribution

The tiny world distribution is confined to the highlands of Chiapas in southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras and western El Salvador.

[edit] Taxonomy

Formerly considered a subspecies of Bumblebee Hummingbird (Atthis heloisa). Often placed in the genus Selasphorus.

[edit] Habitat

Highland areas with cloud forest, though it is more prevalent (or maybe just more easily seen) in oven scrubby areas at the forest edge.

[edit] Behaviour

Generally sits and sings on low shrubs and feeds on low vegetation. Slow flight and buzzing sound from the wing beats gives the impression of a large insect.

[edit] External Links

A page on this species with photos is found on http://tomjenner.com/mayanbirding/thebirds_wine_th_humm.html