Hummingbirds (Family Trochilidae)

Description: The hummingbird family (Family Trochilidae) includes over 300 species of birds. They are the second largest family of birds (only flycatcher family contains more species). The family is subdivided into two subfamilies, the hermit hummingbirds (Subfamily Phaethornithinae) and the trochilines (Subfamily Trochilinae). Hummingbirds are small birds with long narrow beaks and long thin tongues. They exhibit a unique hovering flight ability.

Male hummingbirds often have brighter coloration than females, with iridescent feathers and longer tail feathers. Hummingbirds have muscular bodies and extremely flexible wings. Their elbow joint is very close to their body giving them increased leverage over most other birds when beating their wings (Source: Burnie and Wilson 323).

Visual Guide: To view pictures of hummingbirds and find more information about these birds, see A Visual Guide to Hummingbirds.

Habitat and Range: Hummingbirds are found throughout North America including ranges from Alaska to Labrador and in South America including Brazil, Ecuador. Hummingbirds inhabit a variety of temperate and tropical habitats. Their basic habitat requirement is the presence of sufficient nectar producing flowers. Habitat types that meet these requirements include tropical rainforest, Neararctic pine forests, arid scrub, desert oasis, coastal lowland, and alpine tundra (Source: Camfield).

Diet: Primarily nectar from flowers, occasionally insects and sap.

Status: The following hummingbird species are critically endangered (Source: 'IUCN'):

• Chestsnut-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris)
• Honduran emerald hummingbird (Amazilia luciae)
• Turquise throated puffleg (Eriocnemis godini)
• Colourful puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis)
• Black-breasted puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis)
• Sapphire-bellied hummingbird (Lepidopyga lilliae)
• Short-crested coquette (Lophornis brachylopha)
• Juan Fernandez firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis)

Members of this family: The Family Trochilidae includes the following subfamilies:

• Subfamily Phaethornithinae (hermit hummingbirds)
• Subfamily Trochilinae (trochilines)