description Violet-chested hummingbird Overview
The violet-chested hummingbird (Sternoclyta cyanocephala) is a species of hummingbird and the sole member of its genus, Sternoclyta. It is native to the subtropical and tropical moist montane forests of Venezuela and Colombia. First described by the English ornithologist John Gould in 1846, the species is sexually dimorphic, though both sexes exhibit distinctive white post-ocular spots. It is typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,200 meters where it feeds on nectar from large flowering plants.
help Violet-chested hummingbird FAQ
Where can the violet-chested hummingbird be found?
It occurs in northern South America, principally in Colombia and Venezuela. Its habitat includes humid forest edges, foothills, and shrubby clearings rather than open desert.
How can I identify a male violet-chested hummingbird?
The male's defining feature is a vivid violet patch across the upper chest, contrasting with green upperparts and paler underparts. Females lack the male's intense violet breast patch and are less conspicuously colored.
Is the violet-chested hummingbird the only Sternoclyta species?
Yes. Sternoclyta is a monotypic genus, meaning the violet-chested hummingbird, Sternoclyta cyanopectus, is its only recognized species.
Who first described the violet-chested hummingbird?
British ornithologist John Gould described the species in 1846. Its scientific name, Sternoclyta cyanopectus, refers to its distinctive blue-violet chest.
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