Green-backed Firecrown

Common name: Green-backed Firecrown
Scientific name: Sephanoides sephaniodes
Clades: Lesbiini - Coquettes

The Green-backed Firecrown is a vibrant and easily detectable hummingbird found in the forest and edge habitats of Chile and western Argentina. Known for its persistent metallic zipping calls, this compact bird is a common sight in these regions.

The Green-backed Firecrown is a rather stocky hummingbird with a short, straight, sharply pointed bill. Both sexes have a white spot behind the eye, adding to their distinctive look. Generally, these birds appear dark green overall, with whitish-gray underparts. Males boast a glowing orange-red crown patch, their namesake “firecrown,” which can be tricky to spot as it rarely catches the light. The male’s forehead often appears bushy or plush. Females, on the other hand, have a green crown.

These hummingbirds are highly territorial, often seen aggressively defending their feeding grounds from other birds, including much larger species like caracaras. Their boldness and persistence make them fascinating subjects for birdwatchers.