Purple-crowned Fairy
Common name: Purple-crowned Fairy
Scientfic name: Heliothryx barroti
Clades: Polytminae - Mangoes
A stunning and slender hummingbird of Central American forests, the Purple-crowned Fairy is widely distributed from southern Mexico through western Panama. Measuring 10 to 11 cm in length and weighing around 4 to 5 grams, this species is known for its graceful flight and brilliant plumage.
Male Description:
The male lives up to the "fairy" name with a glowing violet crown and a dazzling white underside. His upperparts are a deep emerald green, and his long, forked tail gleams with a violet-blue sheen. His straight, black bill is ideal for sipping nectar from deep tropical flowers. In flight, his movement is swift and fluttery, with occasional hovering displays.
Female Description:
Females resemble males but with key differences: they lack the vivid purple crown and have a more matte green crown instead. Their underparts are also white, but the tail is slightly shorter and less forked, giving a subtler silhouette. Despite the softer colors, their elegance is unmistakable.
Habitat & Behavior:
The Purple-crowned Fairy favors humid forests and forest edges, especially near streams and clearings. Agile and fast, it often forages in the midstory and canopy, feeding on nectar and catching small insects mid-air. Although not currently considered threatened, it relies on intact forest habitats to thrive.
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