Shining Sunbeam
Aglaeactis cupripennis
The Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 8 g. The shining sunbeam is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae.
About the Shining Sunbeam
The shining sunbeam is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The shining sunbeam is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long. Males weigh 7.6 to 8.1 g (0.27 to 0.29 oz) and females 6.9 to 7.5 g (0.24 to 0.26 oz). Both sexes have a short, straight, black bill. Unique among sunbeams, neither sex has any white plumage. Males of the nominate subspecies have a dark brown crown and upper back; their lower back and rump are lilac-gold becoming silvery green on the uppertail coverts. Their tail feathers are dark brown to rufous, usually with bronzy edges. Their throat is rufous dotted with dusky gray, the breast a patchy buff, and the belly reddish brown. Voice: The shining sunbeam's song is "high-pitched chirping notes, 'tsip...chew...chew...tseep.....tsip..chew...'". Its calls include "single upslurred 'suweet' notes and single high-pitched 'see' notes."
Where it lives
When to see it
The Shining Sunbeam can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Shining Sunbeam on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Shining Sunbeam?
- The shining sunbeam is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Shining Sunbeam?
- The Shining Sunbeam is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
- Where can you see a Shining Sunbeam?
- The Shining Sunbeam occurs in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
- What birds look similar to a Shining Sunbeam?
- The Shining Sunbeam is most easily confused with the White-tufted Sunbeam, the Black-hooded Sunbeam and the Purple-backed Sunbeam.
- Is the Shining Sunbeam endangered?
- The Shining Sunbeam is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Shining Sunbeam for real
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