Violet-headed
Common name: Violet-headed Hummingbird
Scientific name: Klais guimeti
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds
The Violet-headed Hummingbirds are on average 8.1 cm (3.2 in) in length with a short, straight bill that averages 13 mm (0.51 in) in length.
The Violet-headed Hummingbird a dainty resident of diverse humid forests, graces the landscapes from Honduras and Venezuela to Bolivia, adorned with a splendid patchy distribution. This diminutive marvel's presence in the north encompasses lowlands and foothills, while in the Andes, it captivates with its existence in foothills and montane humid forests. Intriguingly, it also leaves its mark in isolated uplands in Amazonia.
Within the confines of the humid forest's interior, the Violet-headed Hummingbird proudly displays its fairly common status. It flits from one small flower to another across a variety of trees, indulging in the nectar they offer. However, this jewel of the forest is not limited to this delicate pursuit; it also demonstrates its agility by sallying from perches to capture small flying insects, showcasing its multifaceted foraging prowess.
With its vibrant appearance and versatile foraging techniques, the Violet-headed Hummingbird stands as a testament to the biological richness and adaptation prowess of the humid forest ecosystems it calls home.3 subspecies:
K. g. merrittii
Distribution E Honduras to E Panama.K. g. guimeti
Distribution Sierra de Perijá and mountains of N and W Venezuela S through E Andes of Colombia and Ecuador to extreme N Peru.K. g. pallidiventris
Distribution E slope of Andes from N Peru (Amazonas) S to C Bolivia (Cochabamba).
taken in Costa Rica
taken in Peru
