Mexican Violetear

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Quick Facts

Migratory
  • Scientific Name: Colibri thalassinus
  • Spanish Name: Colibrí orejivioleta mexicano
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Green Violetear, Violet-eared Hummingbird
  • Average Length: 9.7–12 cm / 3.8–4.7 in
  • Average Weight: 4.8–5.6 g / 0.17–0.20 oz
  • Wingspan: N/A
  • Key Feature: Iridescent green body with a violet-blue patch on the side of the head (ear coverts)
  • Primary Diet: Primarily Nectarivore
  • Range: Central Mexico to northern Nicaragua
  • Habitat: Montane cloud forests, pine-oak woodlands, and forest edges
  • Social Structure: Solitary, but may gather at abundant food sources
  • Nesting/Breeding: Cup-shaped nest in a shrub or tree fork
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Mexican Violetear (*Colibri thalassinus*) is a dazzling hummingbird found in the highlands of Mexico and Central America, renowned for its iridescent plumage that shifts from emerald green to a deep, shimmering violet across its ear patches and belly. Slightly larger than many northern hummingbirds, it boasts a relatively short, straight black bill and a distinctive, forked tail that often appears dark blue. Its most special feature is the namesake "violetear"—a striking, metallic purple patch on the sides of its neck that glows brilliantly in sunlight, contrasting with its otherwise glittering green body. Highly vocal and energetic, this species is known for its aggressive defense of flower patches and its unique, high-pitched chattering call, making it a jewel-like sight in cloud forests and gardens.

Fun Facts

Despite its name, the Mexican Violetear isn't always violet; its shimmering gorget can flash brilliant emerald green, gold, or deep blue depending on the light, a trick of iridescence caused by microscopic feather structures. It is an aggressive nectar thief, often piercing the base of flowers with its sharp bill to steal nectar without pollinating the plant. Perhaps its quirkiest behavior is its “buzz-song”—a prolonged, metallic, insect-like trill delivered while hovering in place, sometimes for over 30 seconds, as if trying to outlast a rival in a hummingbird staring contest.

Habitats & Distribution

The Mexican Violetear inhabits highland forests, particularly humid montane and cloud forests, as well as forest edges, clearings, and adjacent shrubby areas. It is also found in secondary growth and coffee plantations with abundant flowering trees. Its geographical range extends from central and southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with isolated populations in Costa Rica and western Panama. The species is generally resident, though some post-breeding movements to lower elevations or more seasonal habitats may occur, and it has been recorded as a rare vagrant in the southwestern United States.

Behaviours & Reproduction

The Mexican Violetear is generally solitary outside of breeding, with males defending small territories around food sources like flowering plants. Courtship involves the male performing a U-shaped display flight, rising steeply while producing a loud, buzzy song before diving sharply, all to attract a female. Females build a small cup-shaped nest of plant fibers and spider webs, typically in a shrub or tree, where they lay two white eggs. The female alone incubates the eggs for about 15–18 days and feeds the chicks, which fledge around 20–26 days later. A key reproductive strategy is that females may raise multiple broods in a single season, capitalizing on the availability of nectar-rich flowers during the rainy season.

Diet

The Mexican Violetear’s diet is almost exclusively based on nectar, which it harvests from a wide variety of brightly colored, tubular flowers, including those of the *Salvia* and *Penstemon* genera, as well as from introduced plants like eucalyptus. It is a highly territorial and aggressive feeder, often dominating prime flower patches and chasing away larger hummingbird species. An interesting fact is that, like many hummingbirds, it supplements its sugary liquid diet with small insects and spiders, which it catches in flight or gleans from foliage, providing essential protein, fats, and amino acids for muscle repair and feather growth. To conserve energy during cold nights or when food is scarce, the Mexican Violetear can enter a state of torpor, dramatically lowering its metabolic rate and body temperature to survive until dawn.

Colors

The Mexican Violetear is a shimmering hummingbird with an iridescent green body, a deep violet-blue patch on the ear and sides of the neck, and a blue-green tail tipped with black. Its throat and chest are glittering emerald, while the belly is a duller gray-green. This iridescence acts as camouflage, breaking up its outline in dappled forest light, with the violet ear patch being its most distinctive marking.

Distribution Map

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