White-eared Hummingbird
Basilinna leucotis
The White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 6 countries, weighing about 3 g. The white-eared hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae.
About the White-eared Hummingbird
The white-eared hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found from the southwestern U.S. to Nicaragua.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-eared hummingbird is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long. Males weigh an average of 3.6 g (0.13 oz) and females 3.2 g (0.11 oz). Adults of the three subspecies are very similar. Their bills are straight; males' are red with a black tip and females' are mostly blackish with some red to orange at the base. Males of the nominate subspecies in breeding plumage have a metallic violet or bluish violet forehead, a mostly black face with a wide white stripe behind the eye, and a dull black crown. Voice: The white-eared hummingbird's song is "a tedious, metallic chipping chi'tink chi'tink chi'tink ..., or chi'dit chi'dit chi'dit ..., or simply tink tink." Its calls have been described as "fairly hard, dry chips, at times repeated steadily, may break into short, quiet gurgles" and "a sharp metallic tchik or tink".
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-eared Hummingbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-eared Hummingbird?
- The white-eared hummingbird is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-eared Hummingbird?
- The White-eared Hummingbird is a tiny sized bird weighing about 3 g.
- Where can you see a White-eared Hummingbird?
- The White-eared Hummingbird occurs in 6 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, the United States and Nicaragua.
- What birds look similar to a White-eared Hummingbird?
- The White-eared Hummingbird is most easily confused with the Xantus's Hummingbird.
- Is the White-eared Hummingbird endangered?
- The White-eared Hummingbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-eared Hummingbird for real
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