Steely-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia saucerottei

Cali Valle Del Cauca Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Saucerottia saucerottei
  • Spanish Name: Colibrí coliazul
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Blue-vented Hummingbird, Saucerotte's Hummingbird
  • Average Length: 8.5–11 cm / 3.3–4.3 in
  • Average Weight: 3.8–4.5 g / 0.13–0.16 oz
  • Wingspan: 10–12 cm / 4–4.7 in
  • Key Feature: Iridescent green plumage with distinctive steely-blue or blue-black undertail coverts
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore (Nectar and small insects)
  • Range: Central and South America, specifically from Nicaragua to Colombia and Venezuela
  • Habitat: Tropical dry forests, humid forest edges, gardens, and coffee plantations
  • Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nests constructed from plant fibers and spiderwebs on horizontal branches
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Steely-vented Hummingbird (*Saucerottia saucerottei*) is a vibrant, medium-sized nectar-feeder primarily found in the tropical edges and open woodlands of Central and South America. Dressed in a shimmering coat of metallic grass-green plumage that transitions into a bronzier hue toward its lower back, this bird is most easily identified by its namesake feature: the dark, steel-blue or blue-black undertail coverts that contrast sharply against its luminous body. Its slightly forked, blue-black tail and a straight bill—distinguished by a pinkish-red lower mandible with a dark tip—give it a sharp, elegant silhouette. Beyond its striking aesthetics, this hummingbird is renowned for its spirited and highly territorial personality, often aggressively defending its favorite flowering shrubs and feeders from other birds with remarkable speed and aerial precision.

Faits amusants

The Steely-vented Hummingbird is a remarkably feisty defender of its territory, often fearlessly chasing away birds twice its size from prized nectar patches. Its namesake "steely" vent consists of iridescent blue-grey undertail coverts that flash like polished metal when the bird maneuvers in flight. Beyond their aggression, these hummingbirds are highly intelligent "trap-liners," memorizing the exact locations and blooming schedules of flowers to create a high-efficiency feeding route. They are also notably inquisitive, frequently hovering just inches from humans to investigate bright colors or movement, making them one of the more bold and visible species in tropical gardens.

Habitats et répartition

This species is primarily distributed across the northern regions of South America, specifically within the inter-Andean valleys and mountain slopes of Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. Historically, its range has also included parts of Central America, such as Nicaragua and Costa Rica, although some taxonomic classifications treat those populations as distinct species. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters, though it is most abundant in mid-elevation subtropical zones. It inhabits a variety of semi-open environments, favoring forest edges, clearings, and scrubland over dense, primary rainforest. This bird is highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes and is commonly seen in coffee plantations, orchards, and suburban gardens. It prefers arid to semi-humid climates where it can easily access nectar from flowering trees and shrubs in open or disturbed habitats.

Comportements & Reproduction

These birds are notably solitary and highly territorial, frequently engaging in aggressive aerial displays to defend rich nectar sources from both rivals and other species. Their social structure is defined by competition rather than cooperation, with individuals maintaining strict boundaries around their feeding territories. Outside of the brief period required for mating, they do not form pair bonds or social groups, leading independent lives focused on high-energy resource acquisition. During the breeding season, males employ a polygynous strategy, mating with several females and offering no assistance in nesting or offspring care. The female is solely responsible for constructing a compact, cup-shaped nest using plant down and spider silk, which allows the structure to expand as the usually two chicks grow. She typically camouflages the exterior with lichen to protect the brood from predators while she single-handedly manages incubation and feeding duties.

Alimentation

The Steely-vented Hummingbird primarily sustains itself on a high-energy diet of floral nectar supplemented by small invertebrates. It favors a variety of brightly colored, tubular flowers from trees and shrubs like Inga, Hamelia patens, and Stachytarpheta, where it uses its long, specialized tongue to lap up liquid sugar. To meet its protein and mineral requirements, this hummingbird also hunts small insects and spiders, often capturing them in mid-air through a technique known as hawking or gleaning them directly from leaf surfaces. An interesting aspect of its feeding behavior is its intense territoriality; these birds are known to aggressively defend rich nectar sources from other hummingbirds and even larger floral competitors. Furthermore, they play a crucial role as pollinators, inadvertently transferring pollen between blossoms as they move through their habitat to satisfy their exceptionally high metabolic needs.

Couleurs

The Steely-vented Hummingbird is characterized by its vibrant, iridescent grass-green plumage across the head, back, and breast, which often transitions to a bronzy tone on the rump. Its most distinctive mark is the dark steel-blue to blue-black coloration of the undertail coverts and tail, providing a sharp contrast to the emerald body. The straight bill features a pale pinkish base on the lower mandible, while the bird's high metallic sheen allows it to blend effectively into the dappled light of tropical foliage.