Fiery-throated Hummingbird

Costa Rica

Jul 17

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis)

Name Origin:
The genus Panterpe may combine Greek pan (“all”) and terpein (“to delight”), a poetic reference to the bird’s dazzling iridescence. The species name insignis means “remarkable” or “distinguished” in Latin — perfectly fitting for one of the most brilliantly colored hummingbirds in Central America.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 10.5–11.5 cm (4.1–4.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: 5.5–6.5 g (0.19–0.23 oz)
🌎 Range: Highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama
🧭 Elevation: 1,800–3,500 m (5,900–11,500 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Cloud forest, elfin forest, and páramo edge
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini “Brilliants” (highland hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Two subspecies:

1. Panterpe insignis eisenmanni
Distribution: Northwestern Costa Rica, primarily in the Cordillera de Guanacaste.

2. Panterpe insignis insignis
Distribution: North-central Costa Rica (Cordillera de Tilarán) south through Cordillera de Talamanca to extreme western Panama (Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí).

Species Overview

The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is one of the most spectacular montane species in Central America, famed for its iridescent plumage that seems to ignite in sunlight. Endemic to the Talamanca highlands, it thrives in cold, misty cloud forests and elfin woodlands. In diffuse light, it appears dark green, but when viewed in full sun, its throat flares into brilliant hues of gold, orange, and sapphire — a living rainbow of the mountains.

Male Description:
The male has shimmering metallic green plumage, a bright sapphire-blue crown, golden-orange throat, and a deep cobalt-blue belly and tail. The chest gleams fiery red and orange when front-lit, creating the bird’s signature “flame” effect. The bill is straight and black, and the wings are dark with bronze reflections.

Female Description:
The female resembles the male but has less extensive iridescence, a duller throat and chest, and slightly paler underparts. Her tail is shorter and may show a faint greenish wash.

Habitat & Behavior:
This species inhabits upper montane and subalpine forests at elevations from 1,800 to 3,500 meters, often near the treeline. It feeds on nectar from Fuchsia, Centropogon, Siphocampylus, and Palicourea flowers, and supplements its diet with insects. The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is territorial and highly active, often engaging in aerial chases and vocalizing with sharp metallic trills. It is a dominant species at high-elevation feeders, even intimidating larger hummingbirds.

Conservation Note:
The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains abundant across much of its restricted range. However, its dependence on cloud forest and páramo ecosystems makes it sensitive to climate change and habitat degradation. Much of its range lies within protected areas, including Tapantí–Macizo de la Muerte National Park, Los Quetzales National Park, and Volcán Barú National Park (Panama). Continued conservation of high-elevation forest corridors is essential to safeguard this radiant Heliantheini species of the Central American highlands.

Below is the Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis insignis)

Photographed at Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, Km 70, San José, Costa Rica

This individual belongs to the nominate subspecies insignis, which occurs from the Cordillera de Tilarán south through the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica to western Panama (Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí). It inhabits humid montane forest, cloud forest edge, and páramo zones between 1,800 and 3,500 meters.