Olive-spotted
Common name: Olive-spotted Hummingbird
Scientific name: Talaphorus chlorocercus
Clades: PTrochilini - Emeralds
A low-profile species of the western Amazon Basin, the Olive-spotted Hummingbird is found in seasonally flooded forests, river edges, and clearings across parts of Peru, western Brazil, and Bolivia. Measuring 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4 in) and weighing around 4 to 5 grams (0.14 to 0.18 oz), this species blends subtle beauty with specialized habitat preferences.
Male Description:
The male features olive-green upperparts and distinctive olive spotting on the pale buffy underparts, from which the species gets its name. His tail is dark with faint greenish edging, and his straight black bill is adapted for feeding from a variety of low-growing flowers. Subtle facial markings include a faint pale line behind the eye.
Female Description:
Females are very similar to males, sharing the olive-spotted underparts and greenish upperparts. They may show slightly paler and more diffuse spotting, with the same straight black bill and understated tail pattern.
Habitat & Behavior:
Primarily found in várzea (seasonally flooded forests) and along river corridors, this species feeds close to the ground or mid-level, where flowering plants are abundant. It consumes nectar and small insects.
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