Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Ramosomyia violiceps)
Name Origin:
The genus Ramosomyia honors Mexican ornithologist Alfredo Solís Ramos. The species epithet violiceps comes from Latin violaceus meaning "violet" and -ceps meaning "headed," referencing the bird’s vivid crown coloration.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 10–11 cm (3.9–4.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: 4.5–5.2 g (0.16–0.18 oz)
🌎 Range: Southwestern United States through western and southern Mexico
🧭 Elevation: 600–2,100 m (2,000–6,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Dry forest, riparian woodlands, scrub, and urban parks
🧬 Clade: Trochilini – Emeralds
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Ramosomyia violiceps ellioti
Distribution: Extreme southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south through northwestern and central Mexico, reaching as far as central Michoacán and Hidalgo. Inhabits canyons, gallery forests, and edges of dry deciduous woodland.Ramosomyia violiceps violiceps
Distribution: Southwestern Mexico from eastern Michoacán south and east to Puebla and northwestern Oaxaca. Found in arid to semi-arid slopes, often in dry scrub and thorn forest.
Species Overview
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird is a striking and relatively large hummingbird easily recognized by its gleaming white underparts, green back, and distinct violet-blue crown. Unlike many other hummingbirds, it lacks iridescence on the throat, giving it a clean, two-tone look. Common in arid and semi-arid zones, this species is often found near water sources, flowering trees, and feeders.
Male Description:
Bright violet-blue crown, shimmering green back, and a clean white face and underparts. The bill is straight, red with a black tip. The tail is broad, dark with white edges.
Female Description:
Similar to the male, but with a slightly duller crown and shorter tail. Bill coloration and body pattern remain consistent with the male.
Habitat & Behavior:
Favors riparian corridors, arid scrubland, oak woodland edges, and urban green areas. Frequently seen foraging on tubular flowers and at feeders. Flight is fast and direct. Males do not perform elaborate displays but may chase rivals from feeding areas. Often nests in overhanging branches above streams or roads.
Conservation Note:
Although localized in its U.S. range, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird is widespread in Mexico. Populations appear stable, and its adaptability to human-altered landscapes, including gardens and parks, provides resilience. However, water management and continued deforestation could affect key riparian habitats in parts of its range.
Below is the Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Ramosomyia violiceps violiceps)
Photographed at Centro Universitario UAGro, Chilpancingo de los Bravo, Guerrero, Mexico
These individuals belong to the subspecies violiceps, which is found across southwestern Mexico from eastern Michoacán to Oaxaca. It inhabits dry slopes, scrubby forest, and tropical deciduous woodland between 600 and 1,800 meters. Compared to ellioti, it may show a slightly darker crown and a more compact body size, though plumage differences are subtle.
Below is the Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Ramosomyia violiceps ellioti)
Photographed at Ramsey Canyon Inn, Cochise, Arizona, United States
These individuals belong to the subspecies ellioti, which ranges from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico southward through northwestern and central Mexico. It inhabits riparian woodlands and arid canyons, typically between 1,000 and 2,000 meters in elevation. This subspecies is noted for its pale underparts, bold violet crown, and slightly longer bill compared to violiceps.
