Giant

Common name: Giant Hummingbird
Scientific name: Patagona gigas
Clades: Patagoninae -Giant Hummingbird

The Giant Hummingbird holds the title of the largest hummingbird in the world. While its size sets it apart, its plumage is relatively drab, making its impressive dimensions all the more striking.

The Giant Hummingbird's plumage is a subdued greenish above, featuring a prominent whitish rump patch. Its underparts are dingy with variable rusty tones and dusky spotting. Despite the lack of vibrant colors typically associated with hummingbirds, its sheer size ensures it stands out with no similar species for comparison.

This remarkable hummingbird favors open and dry habitats, ranging from matorral and gardens to Andean scrub. It is often seen perching conspicuously atop bushes or roadside wires, making it relatively easy to spot.

The flight of the Giant Hummingbird is notably “slow” compared to its smaller relatives, characterized by powerful wingbeats. It often hovers in a jerky manner while chasing insects, showcasing its unique flight style. These hummingbirds are also known for their loud, sharp calls, which can quickly draw attention to their presence.

2 subspecies:

  1. P. g. peruviana
    Distribution Andes of southwestern Colombia (Nariño) south to extreme northern Chile (Tarapacá) and northwestern Argentina (south to northern Catamarca and Tucumán).

  2. P. g. gigas
    Distribution Central and southern Chile (Atacama to Concepción and Valdivia, occasionally south to Aisén) and adjacent west-central Argentina (south to Mendoza); southern populations winter north to northwestern Argentina (Catamarca, Tucumán). Recorded repeatedly in summer in Sierras Grandes de Córdoba, in central Argentina.

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