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FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Pura Vida Birds and Birding

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Jim Gain

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@ Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, San José, Costa Rica

Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: – Costa Rica’s national motto and tourism slogan, “La Pura Vida” loosely translates to Live Life or Enjoy Life. With over 900 bird species recorded here, there is certainly lots to enjoy! With 12 of the world’s 18 life zones, its diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, mangroves, and savannas, provide habitat for a wide range of iconic birds A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

BIRDS & BIRDING IN COSTA RICA WEBSITE LINK

FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – (Species Account Blog #36)

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

TAXONOMIC TREE:  

  • ORDER: Caprimulgiformes,
  • FAMILY: Trochilidae,
  • BINOMIAL NAME: Panterpe insignis

If you see the throat in good light, there is no mistaking this beauty: no other hummingbird combines every color of the rainbow on the throat and breast. The Fiery-throated Hummingbird is the sole member of the genus Panterpe and is endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. (from Birds of the World)

Fiery-throated Hummingbird Distribution Map (from Birds of the World)

OBSERVATION ANECDOTES

Seen only at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, Talamanca Highlands (Elevation 8962’), Costa Rica. It was a light rain, overcast morning offering few shoys of the incredible pyrotechnics on its throat, but I mostly got it. Hard to believe that in real life it was even more astonishing than my images!

PHOTO GALLERY

@ Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, San José, Costa Rica
@ Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, San José, Costa Rica
@ Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, San José, Costa Rica

View the three most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.

2 responses to “FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Pura Vida Birds and Birding”

  1. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Beautiful birds and photos.

    Reply
    1. Jim Gain Avatar
      Jim Gain

      Thanks

      Reply

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ABOUT THE SITE

With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.

ABOUT ME

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain

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