Hummingbird Ecuador cloud forest (1 Viewer)

Matt Bell

Well-known member

• Sep 24, 2020

• #1

Checking my trip notes against my photos, this picture doesn't fit any of the hummingbirds in my list.

The orange-brown malar stripe would suggest Rufous-gaped Hillstar (aka White-tailed Hillstar). Any thoughts?

The pic was taken in January in the cloud forest at Mashpi, around 1,000 masl, approx. two-and-a-half hours drive north of Quito.

I'm sorry the picture's a bit 'dramatic'. It's the only one I have of this bird.

Thanks.

 

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njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Sep 24, 2020

• #2

A juvenile of whatever Brilliant is found at that location.

Niels

 

Matt Bell

Well-known member

• Sep 24, 2020

• #3

njlarsen said:

A juvenile of whatever Brilliant is found at that location.

Niels

Click to expand...

Thanks, Niels, having looked at some more pics online, I see exactly what you mean.

We saw Empress Brilliant and Green-crowned Brilliant at the same feeder. I had the bird pictured below as a female Empress. Would that be right?

 

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Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Sep 24, 2020

• #4

How are you excluding Green-crowned from that last pic?

 

Matt Bell

Well-known member

• Sep 24, 2020

• #5

Larry Sweetland said:

How are you excluding Green-crowned from that last pic?

Click to expand...

A good question to which I don't have a good answer.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Sep 24, 2020

• #6

I would look at photos of both. Ebird.org/explore is one place I would start.

Niels

 

Matt Bell

Well-known member

• Sep 24, 2020

• #7

njlarsen said:

I would look at photos of both. Ebird.org/explore is one place I would start.

Niels

Click to expand...

Thanks, Niels, I'll do some more research!

 

T

THE_FERN

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Sep 24, 2020

• #8

I'm thinking green-crowned is more likely for the last. As far as I can see, the white streaks extend further down on that species (as here); on empress, feathers that low tend to be a more solid golden-green.

 

T

THE_FERN

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Sep 24, 2020

• #9

Matt Bell said:

Checking my trip notes against my photos, this picture doesn't fit any of the hummingbirds in my list.

The orange-brown malar stripe would suggest Rufous-gaped Hillstar (aka White-tailed Hillstar). Any thoughts?

The pic was taken in January in the cloud forest at Mashpi, around 1,000 masl, approx. two-and-a-half hours drive north of Quito.

I'm sorry the picture's a bit 'dramatic'. It's the only one I have of this bird.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

I get more of an immature male green-crowned brilliant feel from this. We can't see well, but if think we'd get more of the "needle" impression for the bill, and at least some indication of the blue breast area.