Azure-crowned
Common name: Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Scientific name: Saucerottia cyanocephala
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds
Let's break down Saucerottia cyanocephala:
Saucerottia: This is the genus name, which likely derives from a combination of names and descriptors. The genus Saucerottia is named after the Italian ornithologist Ottaviano Saucerotte, who contributed to the study of birds. The suffix "-ia" is commonly used in Latin to form genus names, and "Saucerottia" honors this individual’s contribution to ornithology.
Cyanocephala: This is the species name, derived from two Greek words:
"Cyano" (κυανός), meaning "blue," and
"cephala" (κεφαλή), meaning "head."
Together, cyanocephala refers to "blue head," which is a descriptive term highlighting the prominent blue coloration of the bird’s head.
Therefore, Saucerottia cyanocephala can be interpreted as "Saucerottia’s blue-headed hummingbird" or "the blue-headed Saucerottia."
The Azure-Crowned Hummingbird is a captivating species throughout many forested habitats from Mexico to Nicaragua. This medium-sized bird measures approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.3 inches) in length and weighs around 4-5 grams (0.14-0.18 ounces). Its most striking feature is the vibrant azure blue crown that contrasts beautifully with its shimmering green plumage and delicate white throat. These stunning colors, combined with its agile and rapid flight, make the Azure-Crowned Hummingbird a true spectacle in its natural habitat.
2 subspecies:
S. C. cyanocephala (Azure-crowned)
Distribution E and S Mexico (S from S Tamaulipas) to E Honduras and NC Nicaragua.S. C. chlorostephana (Mosquitia)
Distribution Mosquito Coast of E Honduras and NE Nicaragua.
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