Wine-throated Hummingbird

Guatemala

Jul 17

Wine-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti)

Name Origin:
The genus Selasphorus comes from Greek selas (“flame” or “light”) and phoros (“bearing”), referencing the fiery throat patches typical of this group. The species name ellioti honors Daniel Giraud Elliot, a prominent American ornithologist.

Quick Facts

🯦 Length: 7.5–8.5 cm (3.0–3.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~2.4–2.8 g (0.08–0.10 oz)
🌎 Range: Highlands of southern Mexico (Chiapas) to Guatemala, Honduras, and northern El Salvador
🛍️ Elevation: 1,400–3,000 m (4,600–9,840 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forests, forest edges, clearings, and adjacent second growth
🧬 Clade: Mellisugini “Bees”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Two subspecies:

Selasphorus ellioti ellioti
Distribution: Highlands of southern Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala.
Selasphorus ellioti selasphoroides
Distribution: Highlands of Honduras and northern El Salvador.

Species Overview

The Wine-throated Hummingbird is a tiny, highland specialist known for its striking iridescent wine-red throat on adult males. This species frequents flower-rich montane forests and edges, where it flits rapidly between blossoms and often perches quietly in the shade.

Male Description:
Males have iridescent wine-red gorgets, green upperparts, grayish flanks, and a short, straight black bill. The tail is slightly forked and dusky with rufous tones on the sides.

Female Description:
Females are green above, whitish below with cinnamon flanks, and lack the brilliant throat patch. The tail is similarly forked with pale tips and more rufous in the outer feathers.

Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers mid- to high-elevation forests, edges, and clearings. Feeds at a wide variety of flowers, often low or at mid-levels, and supplements its diet with small insects. Males defend small territories and may be seen singing or displaying from exposed perches.

Conservation Note:
Although local in distribution, the Wine-throated Hummingbird is considered Least Concern. It remains fairly common in suitable habitats, but ongoing deforestation and habitat degradation could impact certain populations.

Below are individuals of the Wine-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ellioti ellioti)

Photographed at:

Zunil, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

These individuals belong to the subspecies ellioti, found in the highlands of southern Mexico (Chiapas) and Guatemala. It inhabits humid montane forests and adjacent edges and clearings, typically between 1,400 and 3,000 meters elevation. Males are distinguished by their brilliant wine-red gorget, while females are green above and pale below with cinnamon sides. This subspecies is locally common in high-elevation reserves and gardens.