Andean Emerald

Common name: Andean Emerald
Scientific name: Uranomitra franciae
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds

Let's break down Uranomitra franciae:

1. Uranomitra: This is the genus name, derived from two Greek words:

   • "Ouranos" (οὐρανός), meaning "sky" or "heaven," and

   • "mitra" (μήτρα), meaning "headband" or "crown."

   The name Uranomitra likely refers to the bird's appearance, possibly highlighting a crown-like pattern or feature on the bird's head, and it may also refer to its connection to the sky or heavenly appearance, which could be due to its vibrant and striking plumage.

2. Franciae: This is the species name, which is derived from the Latin "Francia", meaning "France." The suffix "-ae" is used to indicate possession or association with a person or place. In this case, it likely honors a person, place, or event connected with France. It is common for species names to be in honor of a person who contributed to the discovery of the species or to the country associated with the bird's habitat or discovery.

Therefore, Uranomitra franciae can be interpreted as "the bird with the crown of the sky, associated with France" or "the heavenly-crowned bird of France."

The Andean emerald is 9 to 11 cm (3.5 to 4.3 in) long. Males weigh about 5.6 g (0.20 oz) and females about 5.3 g (0.19 oz).

Andean Emeralds are found along humid and wet forest borders, in second-growth trees, and in highland clearings. Elevations can change significantly during the season, but most occur above 1000 meters. Their song might sound similar to that of a Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), but the Andean Emerald has a less melodious sound.

Their bills are straight to slightly decurved. This bird glistens violet-blue at the crown, golden to emerald-green on its cheeks and neck, light to golden-green on its upperparts and flanks, copperish tinges on the uppertail-coverts, white at the center of the underparts, bronze-green to copperish on the tail, sometimes with a purplish tinge to its inner rectrices. In females, the crown is less glittery and more turquoise-blue to greenish in color. A juvenile male's crown coloration resembles that of a female, and he also has brownish feather borders on the entire upperparts, while the flanks are greyish brown.

3 subspecies:

1. U. f. franciae
   Distribution Andes of NW and C Colombia

2. U. f. viridiceps
   Distribution SW Colombia (Nariño) and W Ecuador (S to Loja).

3. U. f. cyanocollis
   Distribution Andes of SE Ecuador (Zamora-Chinchipe) and N Peru (Marañón Valley S to E La Libertad).

taken in Colombia

taken in Peru