Rivoli's Hummingbird or Blue-Throated Mountain-Gem?

General appearance

Rivoli's hummingbird is a large hummingbird with a straight, medium-length bill and vibrant plumage. Its deep green upperparts, combined with the iridescent emerald-purple crown, make it distinctive. The throat can appear black in dim light, which contrasts sharply with the rest of its vibrant plumage. When in flight, their wings beat rapidly, producing a unique humming sound.

Male vs female

Males are vividly colored with an emerald-green crown and throat, while their underparts are often darker. Females, on the other hand, have more muted colorations, lacking the vibrant green on the crown and throat; instead, they display a more subdued grayish-green. Both sexes have white spots behind the eyes. During the breeding season, males can be seen performing aerial displays to attract females.

Juvenile

Juvenile Rivoli's hummingbirds closely resemble females in coloration, typically displaying more subdued tones and less iridescence. They lack the striking crown feathers of the adult males. As they mature, the plumage becomes more vibrant. Juveniles might show gradual development of iridescent feathers typically as they transition into adulthood, especially noticeable during their first molting period.

Primary habitat

Rivoli's hummingbird favours mountain glades and pine-oak woods, primarily at elevations of 5,000-9,000 feet. It typically occupies shaded canyons with sycamore and maple trees, or open hillsides within pine-oak woodlands.

Additional range

Additionally, this hummingbird can be found in the coniferous forest of higher mountains in the southwestern U.S. Unlike the Blue-throated Hummingbird, it is less restricted to streamsides, indicating a wider habitat range.

Natural diet

Rivoli's hummingbird primarily consumes nectar from flowers as a main component of its diet. Additionally, it actively forages for insects, supplementing its nectar intake. The bird is known to perch in wooded areas, where it watches for insects and subsequently flies out to capture them mid-air. This behavior demonstrates its reliance on both nectar and insects as natural food sources.

Bird feeders

Rivoli's hummingbird is known to frequent bird feeders, particularly those offering sugar-water mixtures. These feeders are often designed to mimic the nectar they naturally consume from flowers, providing an easily accessible food source that they regularly utilize in addition to their natural dietary habits.