From Opus

Alternative name: Variable Mountain Gem

Lampornis castaneoventris

Photo by Cedric K
Photo taken: Panama.

[edit] Identification

10.5 cm. Bronze-green upperparts and underparts, brilliant green crown, white throat and blue tail, short, slightly curved black bill. The female lacks the bright crown and throat, and has rich cinnamon underparts. Young birds resemble the female but have buff fringes to the upperparts plumage.

[edit] Distribution

Western Panama

[edit] Taxonomy

This is now a monotypic species; Gray-tailed Mountain Gem and Purple-throated Mountain-gem have in the past been included in this species.

[edit] Habitat

Montane evergreen forest.

[edit] Behaviour

The female builds a deep plant-fibre cup nest high in a scrub, small tree or vine. 2 white eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 15-19 days; the young fledge in another 20-26 days.

The diet includes nectar and small insects.

[edit] External Links