description Charming Hummingbird Overview
The Charming Hummingbird is a small Central American species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is commonly listed as Polyerata decora, while Amazilia decora is an older combination, and it is restricted to Costa Rica and Panama. It occurs in moist lowland forest and degraded former forest, especially along forest exteriors, and searches for scattered flowers and arthropods; it may also visit gardens. Its limited range is a central field-identification fact.
help Charming Hummingbird FAQ
Where can I see the Charming Hummingbird?
It occurs only in Costa Rica and Panama, mainly on the Pacific lowland slope of southern Costa Rica, including areas around the Golfo Dulce and Osa region, extending into western Panama. Outside those two countries it cannot be found in the wild.
What's the difference between the Charming Hummingbird and the Blue-chested Hummingbird?
The two were long treated as forms of a single species, but modern checklists separate the Charming Hummingbird (Polyerata decora), restricted to Costa Rica and Panama, from the more widespread Blue-chested Hummingbird (Polyerata amabilis). The Blue-chested male shows a broad blue band across the chest, while the Charming tends to show a pinkish base to the bill.
Why do some books call it Amazilia decora instead of Polyerata decora?
Amazilia decora is the older scientific combination. Genetic studies broke up the giant catch-all genus Amazilia, and modern classifications place this species in Polyerata, so older field guides and newer ones will disagree on the name.
What habitat should I search for the Charming Hummingbird in Costa Rica?
It occupies moist lowland forest, forest edge, second growth, and plantations on the Pacific slope. Scanning flowering shrubs and small trees at the forest edge in southern Costa Rica is the standard approach.
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