Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)

Name Origin:
The genus Eugenes honors Prince Eugene of Savoy, a notable European military leader and patron of science. The species epithet fulgens is Latin for “shining” or “glittering,” referring to the iridescent plumage.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 11–13 cm (4.3–5.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~7–10 g (0.25–0.35 oz)
🌎 Range: From the southwestern United States through Mexico and into northern Central America
🧭 Elevation: 1,200–3,500 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Montane pine-oak forest, cloud forest, and forest edges
🧬 Clade: Lampornithini (a.k.a. “mountain-gems”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

Rivoli’s Hummingbird is one of the largest hummingbirds in North America, known for its size, sleek build, and dazzling coloration. Males feature a brilliant violet crown and emerald green gorget that flash in direct light. They are powerful fliers and aggressive defenders of feeding territories, often dominating flower patches and feeders across their highland habitats.

Male Description:
Dark green upperparts, metallic emerald gorget, violet crown, and dark tail. Underparts are mostly dark with iridescent highlights. Long, straight black bill.

Female Description:
Green upperparts with dull grayish underparts. Tail dark with white tips. Lacks the iridescent crown and gorget but shares the same structure and behavior.

Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers humid to semi-humid montane forest and pine-oak woodlands. Regularly visits feeders, flowering trees, and shrubs. Often hovers high and calls sharply while patrolling a territory. Forages both for nectar and flying insects. Males are especially dominant, using height and speed to outcompete smaller species.

Conservation Note:
This species has a broad range and occurs in both protected and moderately disturbed forests. While local populations may decline with deforestation, it remains secure across most of its range. It is commonly observed in reserves and areas with reliable nectar sources.

taken in Guatemala