Black-bellied Hummingbird

Costa Rica

Jul 17

Black-bellied Hummingbird (Eupherusa nigriventris)

Name Origin:
The genus name Eupherusa is of uncertain origin but may derive from Greek roots eu meaning “good” or “well” and pherusa meaning “bearing” or “carrying,” possibly alluding to its graceful flight. The species name nigriventris combines the Latin niger meaning “black” and venter meaning “belly,” directly describing the species’ most distinctive feature.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: 4–5 g (0.14–0.18 oz)
🌎 Range: Highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama
🧭 Elevation: 800–2,200 m (2,625–7,220 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forest, forest edges, and shaded plantations
🧬 Clade: Trochilini "Emeralds" (mid-elevation hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic species with no recognized subspecies.

Distribution: Found in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, including the provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. Inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, particularly along the Caribbean slope.

Species Overview

The Black-bellied Hummingbird is a unique highland species characterized by its striking contrast of dark plumage and rufous wings. It is a common yet unforgettable sight in the misty cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, where it hovers among shaded flowers, often accompanied by the gentle sound of its whirring wings.

Male Description:
The male features dark metallic green upperparts, a glittering emerald crown, and a blackish throat, breast, and belly that give the species its name. The wings are rich rufous, and the tail is bronze-green with faint bluish tones. The bill is straight and black. In good light, subtle iridescence can be seen across the upper breast.

Female Description:
The female is similar to the male but lighter below, with grayish underparts and a less intense black belly patch. Her rufous wings are equally vibrant, and her tail is more rounded. She forages actively at lower levels of the forest and often visits gardens and forest edges.

Habitat & Behavior:
This species inhabits humid montane forest and forest edges, typically between 800 and 2,200 meters. It feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, especially those of the Heliconia, Inga, and Besleria genera, and supplements its diet with small insects. Males are territorial and vocal, frequently giving sharp, dry calls from shaded perches.