Lesser Violetear
Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus)
Name Origin:
The genus Colibri is simply the French word for hummingbird, and the species name cyanotus comes from Greek kuanos (“deep blue”) and ‑otos (“ear”), referring to the violet‑blue patch behind the eye.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: ~9.7–11 cm (3.8–4.3 in) Wikipedia+1
⚖️ Weight: ~4.8–6 g Wikipedia+1
🌎 Range: Highlands from Costa Rica and western Panama south through the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador into Bolivia and northwestern Venezuela Wikipedia+1
🧭 Elevation: Commonly 1,200–2,300 m, occasionally down to ~900 m panama-wildlife.blogspot.com+1
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects Birds of Colombia+1
🏡 Habitat: Cloud forest, forest edge, secondary woodland, gardens in mountain zones panama-wildlife.blogspot.com+1
🧬 Clade: Polytminae “Mangoes”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Four subspecies recognized:
C. c. cabanidis — Distribution: Costa Rica to western Panama Wikipedia+1
C. c. crissalis — Distribution: Peru and Bolivia Wikipedia
C. c. cyanotus — Distribution: Colombia and northwestern Venezuela, Ecuador Wikipedia+1
C. c. kerdeli — Distribution: Northeastern Venezuela Wikipedia
Species Overview
The Lesser Violetear is a resilient mountain‑hummingbird found across a wide high‑elevation belt in Central and South America. It is noted for its shimmering green upperparts and a striking violet‑blue patch behind the eye (the “violet‑ear”). It feeds actively on nectar and insects, follows trap‑lines, and oftenguards flower patches. It copes well in disturbed habitats such as gardens and coffee plantations at higher altitudes.
Male Description:
Shiny emerald green above, a prominent violet‑blue patch behind the eye, underparts mostly greenish, tail metallic blue‑green with a black subterminal band. Bill straightish and black. Wikipedia
Female Description:
Similar in structure but slightly duller overall, green upperparts, underparts paler gray‑green with less intense violet auricular patch.
Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers mountain cloud forests and edges but is flexible, using second‑growth, gardens, and plantations. It forages from mid‑story to canopy, defends rich flower patches, and captures insects in flight. Elevation ranges usually start around 900 m and extend up to 3,000 m or more in some Andean zones. Wikipedia+1
Conservation Note:
The Lesser Violetear is widespread and common in many parts of its range, which supports its Least Concern status. Its adaptability to human‑modified habitats is a strong positive. However, continual clearance of montane forest and climate‑driven shifts in flower availability could pose future risks.
Below is the Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus cabanidis)
Photographed in Costa Rica
This individual belongs to the subspecies cabanidis, which occurs in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is common in montane forest, forest edge, and high elevation gardens where flowering shrubs and canopy blooms provide nectar throughout the year.
Below is the Lesser Violetear (Andean), (Colibri cyanotus cyanotus)
Photographed in Colombia
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies cyanotus, which is widespread in the Andes of Colombia. It is typically found in humid montane forest, páramo transition zones, and high elevation gardens and forest edges.
It shares the same general structure as cabanidis but may appear slightly more saturated green depending on elevation and light conditions. The violet ear patch is prominent during display or when the bird turns sharply toward the light. The flight is direct and fast, often accompanied by persistent vocalizations.
Below is the Lesser Violetear (Andean), (Colibri cyanotus crissalis)
Photographed in Peru
This individual belongs to the subspecies crissalis, which occurs in the southern Andes from southern Colombia through Ecuador and into Peru. In Peru it is typically found in humid montane forest, cloud forest edge, and high elevation shrub zones where flowering trees and bushes are scattered.
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