Snowcap

Microchera albocoronata

Least ConcernRareNectarForestCup nestTiny · 3 g

About the Snowcap

The snowcap is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The snowcap is 6.5 to 7 cm (2.6 to 2.8 in) long and weighs about 2.7 g (0.095 oz). Both sexes of both subspecies have a short black bill and black legs. Adult males of both subspecies have the white forehead and crown that give this species its English and scientific names. Males of the nominate subspecies have dark purple upperparts with a purplish black nape and a reddish gloss on the back, rump, and uppertail coverts. Their face and underparts are black with a reddish purple gloss. Their central tail feathers are metallic bronze and the rest have white bases and black ends. Males of M. a. Voice: The male snowcap's song is "a soft, sputtering, warbling melody: tsitsup tsitsup tsitsup tsew ttttt-tsew or tsip-tsee tsippy tsippy tsippy tsip-tick tsew." One call is "a soft, high-pitched, dry tsip", and it makes "buzzy notes and chatters in aggressive interactions".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Snowcap sounds like

Recording: Justin Watts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Justin Watts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Snowcap for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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