Return of Bird of the Week: Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Among birders’ favorite hummingbirds has to be the Violet-bellied. Not only is the male’s coloration spectacular; this species favors the flowers of the understory, making it more accessible than most hummingbirds. And it is sometimes attracted to feeders. It’s a handsome bird from this angle, but when it catches the light right, well. It can make your eyes water when you see it through your binoculars. This is a small hummingbird, about 7.5 cm – just under three inches – long, weighing just 3.4 grams. But it certainly has the most flash per gram of any bird in the Western…
Bird of the Week – Violet-bellied Hummingbird
WC loves hummingbirds; their absence in Interior Alaska is a major drawback to an otherwise great place for birders. But it’s South America where hummingbirds really reach their peak in colors, populations and varieties. Perhaps you can agree with WC: a bird that looks like this is reason enough to visit South America; specifically, Ecuador. Technical stuff: tripod, f6.7, 1/250, ISO800. For more bird images, visit Frozen Feather Images.