Plain-capped Starthroat
Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii)
Name Origin:
The genus Heliomaster comes from Greek helios meaning “sun” and master, indicating dominance or brilliance—likely a reference to the vivid iridescence of the gorget. The species epithet constantii honors French naturalist Benjamin Constant.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6–7.5 g (0.21–0.26 oz)
🌎 Range: Western and southern Mexico through Central America to southern Costa Rica
🧭 Elevation: 0–2,000 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Dry forest, scrub, forest edge, coffee plantations, and second growth
🧬 Clade: Lampornithini (a.k.a. “mountain-gems”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Three subspecies:
Heliomaster constantii pinicola
Distribution: Western Mexico, from Sonora south to JaliscoHeliomaster constantii leocadiae
Distribution: Southwestern and southern Mexico (Michoacán to Chiapas) and GuatemalaHeliomaster constantii constantii
Distribution: Pacific slope from El Salvador south through Nicaragua to southern Costa Rica
Species Overview
The Plain-capped Starthroat is a large, boldly marked hummingbird with a long, straight bill and prominent white postocular stripe. Males feature a brilliant magenta gorget, often concealed unless viewed at the right angle. Both sexes have metallic green upperparts and pale underparts with a grayish cast. It is widespread through drier and semi-open habitats and often visits flowering trees and garden feeders.
Male Description:
Metallic green back, white or grayish underparts, magenta-to-rose gorget (often only partially visible), and a long straight black bill. White stripe behind the eye and dark tail with pale tips.
Female Description:
Similar to male but gorget is reduced or absent, with more uniform grayish-white underparts and slightly shorter bill.
Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers open or semi-open habitats such as dry forests, forest edge, plantations, and gardens. Common at flowering trees, especially Inga and Erythrina. Frequently perches conspicuously and often vocalizes with a high-pitched, squeaky chatter. Males are territorial during flowering booms. Often feeds in the canopy but can descend to lower flowering shrubs.
Conservation Note:
The species remains common and widespread across its range, showing adaptability to disturbed areas and human-modified habitats. No major threats are currently identified, though regional habitat loss may affect localized populations.
Below is the Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii constantii)
Photographed at Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies constantii, which occurs along the Pacific slope from El Salvador to southern Costa Rica. It inhabits humid to semi-humid tropical zones and often frequents flowering trees and gardens. This form is distinguished by slightly longer wings and overall larger size compared to northern populations, though field distinctions are minor.
Below is the Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii leocadiae)
Photographed at Río Copalita, Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico
These individuals belong to the subspecies leocadiae, found from Michoacán to Chiapas and into Guatemala. This form inhabits dry forest and forest edge habitats across southern Mexico. It is similar in appearance to the nominate form but may show slightly duller underparts and marginally shorter bill length on average. Plumage differences are subtle and mostly overlap across the range.
