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
CINNAMON HUMMINGBIRD – (Species Account Blog #53)
ABOUT THIS SPECIES
TAXONOMIC TREE:
- ORDER: Caprimulgiformes,
- FAMILY: Trochilidae,
- BINOMIAL NAME: Amazilia rutila
The Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) is a striking, medium-size hummingbird of dry tropical lowlands. Favors scrubby woodland and edge, gardens, semi-open areas with flowering trees. Wholly cinnamon-colored underparts distinctive; also note the bright red bill, tipped black (red less extensive on immatures). If seen only from behind, can be confused with Buff-bellied and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, both of which show a green throat and chest when seen from the side or front. (from Birds of the World)
OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
My personal “Lifer” Cinnamon Hummingbird was near Rio Lagartos in the northern Yucatan Peninsula. In Costa Rica we observed them in the low to mid-elevation areas near the Caldera Mangroves (Espiritu) Puntarenas Province (north of the Tárcoles River) and again at the Robleado Hotel west of San José.
PHOTO GALLERY
**Some of this Blog Series photos (all taken by me) have been taken in other nearby countries.
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 