- Atthis ellioti
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.
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.
Distribution
The tiny world distribution is confined to the highlands of Chiapas in southern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras and western El Salvador.
Taxonomy
Formerly considered a subspecies of Bumblebee Hummingbird (Atthis heloisa). Often placed in the genus Selasphorus.
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.
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.
External Links
A page on this species with photos is found on http://tomjenner.com/mayanbirding/thebirds_wine_th_humm.html
