From Opus

Eugenes fulgens

Photo by Cedric K.
Location: Cielito Sur B&B, Chiriqui, Panama

[edit] Identification

13 cm. Long, straight or nearly straight, black bill, green-bronze upperparts, becoming more bronzed on the black-tipped tail. Male shows violet crown, bright blue throat, black head, white spot behind the eye. The chest is green-bronze and the belly grey. Female has bronze-green upperparts and dull grey underparts. There is a white stripe behind her eye. Immature birds are like the female, but darker and browner.

[edit] Distribution

Southwest United States to western Panama. Accidental vagrant to Kansas.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized, fulgens and spectabilis; some authorities additionally recognize aureoviridus.

[edit] Habitat

Mountains, and montane forests.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a cup shaped nest in bamboo. Two (2) white eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 15-19 days; the young fledge 20-26 days later.

Diet includes nectar, and some small insects.

[edit] External Links