Steely-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia saucerottei

Cali Valle Del Cauca Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Saucerottia saucerottei
  • Spanish Name: Amazilia coliazul
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Saucerotte's Hummingbird, Blue-vented Hummingbird
  • Average Length: 8–11 cm / 3.1–4.3 in
  • Average Weight: 4.5 g / 0.16 oz
  • Wingspan: 10–12 cm / 4–5 in
  • Key Feature: Iridescent green body with contrasting blue-black or steely-blue undertail coverts
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivorous and Insectivorous
  • Range: Central and South America, specifically from Nicaragua to Colombia and Venezuela
  • Habitat: Tropical dry forests, humid secondary forests, coffee plantations, and suburban gardens
  • Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nests constructed of plant fibers and spiderwebs on horizontal branches
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Steely-vented Hummingbird (*Saucerottia saucerottei*) is a dazzling, medium-sized nectar-feeder native to the tropical dry forests and gardens of Central and South America. Draped in shimmering emerald-green plumage that transitions into a subtle bronzy sheen on its lower back, this bird is most easily identified by its namesake feature: the "steely" vent, or dark blue-black undertail coverts that contrast sharply against its bright belly. Its striking appearance is completed by a deeply forked, steel-blue tail and a straight bill that often features a distinctive pale pinkish base on the lower mandible. Renowned for its feisty and highly territorial personality, this agile aviator is a common sight in its range, aggressively defending its favorite floral patches with high-speed aerial maneuvers and sharp, chattering calls.

Fun Facts

True to its name, this hummingbird features distinctive blue-black or "steely" undertail coverts that contrast sharply with its iridescent green plumage. It is famously territorial, often acting as a "garden bully" by aggressively chasing away much larger bird species from its favorite nectar sources. To support its high-energy lifestyle, its heart can beat over 1,200 times per minute, and it constructs a remarkably elastic nest using spider silk, which allows the structure to physically expand as the chicks grow larger.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is distributed across Central and South America, primarily inhabiting the Pacific slopes of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, as well as the inter-Andean valleys of Colombia. Its range spans from sea level up to elevations of approximately 1,800 to 2,000 meters, favoring dry to sub-humid tropical climates. Within these regions, it thrives in a variety of open and semi-open environments, including forest edges, second-growth woodlands, scrublands, and agricultural areas such as coffee plantations. It is also commonly found in suburban gardens and city parks, showing a strong preference for disturbed or modified habitats over the interior of dense, primary rainforests.

Behaviours & Reproduction

This species is notably aggressive and solitary, fiercely defending feeding territories against other hummingbirds and even larger floral competitors. They often employ a "trap-lining" strategy, visiting a series of specific flowers in a regular circuit, or they may remain stationary to guard a particularly rich nectar source. Outside of the brief mating encounter, there is no social structure or long-term bond between individuals, as they do not form flocks or pairs. Mating is polygynous, with males performing aerial courtship displays to attract multiple females before departing to find other mates. The female assumes all parental responsibilities, constructing a tiny, cup-shaped nest from plant fibers and spider silk, which she camouflages with lichen. She typically lays two white eggs and manages the incubation and feeding of the chicks entirely on her own, without any assistance or protection from the male.

Diet

The Steely-vented Hummingbird primarily sustains itself on a diet of nectar collected from a diverse array of flowering plants, including species from the Inga, Erythrina, and Hamelia genera. While nectar provides the necessary carbohydrates to fuel its high-energy lifestyle, the bird also consumes small insects and spiders to obtain essential proteins and minerals, often capturing prey through aerial hawking or by gleaning it from foliage. A notable feature of its feeding strategy is its intense territoriality; this species is remarkably aggressive, frequently defending lucrative flower patches against other hummingbirds and even larger nectar-feeders. To support its rapid metabolism, the Steely-vented Hummingbird must feed almost continuously throughout the day, often visiting hundreds of blossoms to meet its daily caloric requirements.

Colors

The Steely-vented Hummingbird displays a brilliant, glittering green body with subtle bronze tones on the crown and back. Its namesake feature is the dark, steely blue-black vent and undertail coverts, paired with a matching iridescent blue-black tail. The straight bill typically shows a pale pinkish base on the lower mandible, while the bird's overall shimmering green plumage provides effective camouflage among sunlit tropical foliage.