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
SCINTILLANT HUMMINGBIRD – (Species Account Blog #42)
ABOUT THIS SPECIES
TAXONOMIC TREE:
- ORDER: Caprimulgiformes,
- FAMILY: Trochilidae,
- BINOMIAL NAME: Selasphorus scintilla
The Scintillant Hummingbird is among the smallest of hummingbirds, and is the smallest within its range of the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and western Panama. Despite its diminutive size, it is a striking bird that is difficult to overlook, or to forget once seen. The wing trill of the adult male can be heard at a distance, and the male’s blazing orange gorget is spectacular against its rufous plumage. (from Birds of the World)
OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
We saw this tiny hummingbird frequently feeding on the verbena around El Toucanet Lodge in the Talamanca Highlands.
PHOTO GALLERY
View the five most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.
- A Streak-headed Woodcreeper Feeds its Offspring Near the Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica
- PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- HOFFMANN’S WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Reflections of the Natural World 
Leave a comment