Speckled Hummingbird

Jul 17

Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)

Name Origin:
The genus Adelomyia comes from the Greek adelos meaning “unseen” and myia meaning “fly,” possibly referring to its discreet appearance. The species name melanogenys is derived from melano- meaning “black” and -genys meaning “cheek,” referring to its distinctive dark cheek patch.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: 3.5–5.0 g (0.12–0.18 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northwest Argentina
🧭 Elevation: 1,000–2,500 m (3,300–8,200 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane and cloud forest, forest edge
🧬 Clade: Lesbiini “Coquettes”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Nine subspecies:

Adelomyia melanogenys cervina
Distribution: Western and Central Andes of Colombia.
Adelomyia melanogenys sabinae
Distribution: Western slope of the Eastern Andes in Colombia (Santander and Boyacá).
Adelomyia melanogenys melanogenys
Distribution: Andes of western Venezuela (Mérida) and the eastern Andes in Colombia south through south-central Peru.
Adelomyia melanogenys connectens
Distribution: Upper Magdalena Valley (Huila), in southern Colombia.
Adelomyia melanogenys debellardiana
Distribution: Sierra de Perijá on the Colombia–Venezuela border.
Adelomyia melanogenys aeneosticta
Distribution: Mountains of northern Venezuela (Falcón east to Miranda).
Adelomyia melanogenys chlorospila
Distribution: Southeastern Peru (southern Cuzco).
Adelomyia melanogenys maculata
Distribution: Western Andes from southwestern Colombia (Nariño) south to northwestern Peru (La Libertad).
Adelomyia melanogenys inornata
Distribution: Yungas of Bolivia and northwestern Argentina (Salta, Jujuy).

Species Overview

The Speckled Hummingbird is a small Andean species recognized for its muted green plumage and finely marked, speckled underparts. Its straight black bill, black cheek patch, and white post-ocular stripe make it distinctive. Though not brightly colored, it thrives in humid montane forest and edges, and is one of the most widespread hummingbirds in the Andes.

Male Description:
Bronzy green above with pale underparts densely speckled with olive or dusky spots. Prominent black cheek patch and a narrow white stripe behind the eye. Tail dark with pale tips. Bill is short and straight.

Female Description:
Similar to the male, with slightly less pronounced spotting and duller overall appearance.

Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers dense understory of humid montane forest, forest edges, and shrubby clearings. Forages on nectar from low and mid-level flowers and supplements with small insects. Often seen alone, using a trap-lining strategy. Sedentary but may shift elevation seasonally. Vocalizations are soft and inconspicuous.

Conservation Note:
The Speckled Hummingbird remains common and widespread across its range. Its adaptability to edge and secondary habitats gives it a degree of resilience, though deforestation in some regions could lead to localized declines. It is currently listed as Least Concern.

Below is the Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys melanogenys)

Photographed at Owlet Lodge, Amazonas, Peru

These individuals belong to the subspecies melanogenys, which occurs from the Andes of western Venezuela through the eastern Andean slopes of Colombia and south into south-central Peru. This population typically shows a darker cheek patch, bold post-ocular stripe, and speckled underparts, consistent with birds found in humid montane forest from 1,200 to 2,500 meters.

Below is the Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys inornata)

Photographed at Francisco, Valle Grande, Jujuy, Argentina

These individuals belong to the subspecies inornata, found in the Yungas of Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. Compared to northern forms, inornata is paler below and slightly less marked overall, with a more subdued cheek patch and reduced speckling, traits adapted to the drier edge of its humid forest range.

Below is the Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys cervina)

Photographed at La Florida - Bosque de Las Aves, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
and Colibrí del Sol ProAves Reserve, Antioquia, Colombia

These individuals belong to the subspecies cervina, which occurs in the Western and Central Andes of Colombia. This form shows heavy olive speckling on the breast, a well-defined white post-ocular stripe, and bronzy upperparts, fitting birds in mid-elevation montane forests of the Colombian Andes.