Buff-Bellied Hummingbird, Identification, Coloration, Size, Breeding Areas, Photographs
The tiny Buff-bellied hummingbird is a beautiful bird found in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. It is a small bird with a body length of only 3-4 inches. The male Buff-bellied hummingbird has greenish-black upper parts and a white belly with buffy flanks.
Their throat and breast are also buffy. The female is similar to the male but has a greenish wash on the throat and breast. Juveniles are brownish above and whitish below, with some streaking on the flanks.
This hummingbird species are attracted to gardens and feeders where they will sip nectar from flowers or feeders. They will also eat insects that they capture in midair. Buff-bellied hummingbirds breed in open woodlands, scrublands, and urban areas.
Several Characteristics of Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds
When it comes to hummingbirds, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a unique bird species with several distinguishing characteristics. Often seen in humid lowland and wet mountain forests, the Buff-bellied Hummingbird has a unique emerald green body and a buff-colored belly.
Size
The Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a medium-sized hummingbird species measuring between 10 and 11 centimeters in length. This species is easily identifiable by its distinctly buff-colored belly.
This Hummingbird is slightly larger than the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, weighing up to 4-5 grams. Its wingspan typically measures up to 14 centimeters, with a tail reaching 6.4 centimeters.
Color
These birds are characterized by their distinctive coloring, which varies depending on their location and age. The adult Buff-bellied Hummingbird has a dark green back, a white abdomen, and buff-colored underparts.
The male has a reddish throat, while the female has a white throat. Juveniles are similar to adults but with slightly duller coloring.
Habitats
These beautiful creatures are known for their distinctive buff-colored bills, which are longer and more curved than other hummingbirds. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds inhabit a wide variety of habitats, ranging from lowland rainforests to highland cloud forests.
They are also found in deciduous and evergreen forests, mangroves, and secondary forests. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds prefer habitats with plenty of trees, bushes, and other vegetation, as they are ideal for finding food and nesting materials.
Scientific Name
The scientific name for the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird is Amazilia yucatanensis. This hummingbird is found in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala and is a fairly large hummingbird. The adult has a buffy-white belly and underparts with greenish upper parts.
Natural Habitats and Areas of the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird
It is a hummingbird species found in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, and adjacent areas of Belize and Guatemala. It is a resident breeder in these countries. The Buff-Bellied Hummingbird’s natural range includes the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.
This species inhabits various habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, scrubland, and urban areas. They are often found near sources of nectar-rich flowers, such as lantana, thistle, and penstemon. In addition, they are also attracted to gardens with feeders that provide artificial nectar.
During the breeding season, Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds will usually nest in shrubs and trees near a water source. These birds migrate to warmer Mexico and Central American climates during the winter.
Differences between Adult and Juvenile Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds
Adult and juvenile Buff-bellied hummingbirds exhibit several significant distinctions in their physical characteristics. While adults and juveniles share many similarities, there are also a few differences. Adult Buff-bellied Hummingbirds have a metallic green back and wings, a whitish-gray throat, and a buff-colored belly.
Juveniles have a more muted coloration and are generally a duller green-gray over the body, with some areas of dull white on the throat and breast. Regarding physical size, adult Buff-bellied Hummingbirds are generally larger than juveniles, measuring three to four inches.
The adult female is similar but lacks the purple cap and has more green on its body. Juvenile birds have brownish upper parts and whitish under parts with some flank streaking. They also have a greenish tint to their crowns.
What Are the Different Subspecies of the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird?
This hummingbird species is also known for its wide range of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and tropical forests. But what many people may need to learn is that there are three subspecies of the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird.
Yucatanensis
The Yucatanensis subspecies of the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) is a small bird found in Central and South America. It is found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Chalconota
It is noted for its particular beauty and has a distinct range of colors and patterns on its feathers. One particular subspecies of this species is the Chalconota hummingbird, found in parts of the United States of America.
Cerviniventris
This species has one subspecies, Cerviniventris, distinguished by its slightly larger size and darker coloration on its back. Cerviniventris inhabits much of the same range as the Buff-Bellied Hummingbird but is commonly found in Mexico.
In What Areas Do Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds Typically Breed?
Buff-bellied hummingbirds typically breed in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They prefer open habitats such as meadows, grasslands, deserts, and scrubby areas, as well as cultivated habitats, including suburban gardens and agricultural areas.
These hummingbirds are mostly found in the southernmost areas of Texas, Florida, and New Mexico. In Mexico, they range south to Guatemala and Honduras. Buff-bellied hummingbirds may migrate to their breeding grounds as early as February and remain until September.
They are renowned for their elaborate courtship displays, consisting of aerial acrobatics, singing, and hovering above their chosen mate. They build their nests on branches or twigs near the trunk of a tree or bush. Females lay 2-3 eggs per clutch and incubate them for 14-16 days before they hatch.
Are the Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds Migratory?
Yes, buff-bellied hummingbirds do migrate. They typically begin migrating in late August or early September and head south to their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The Buff-bellied Hummingbirds have a unique migratory pattern compared to other species of hummingbirds. These species of hummingbirds are typically only found in the eastern and southeastern parts of the United States, but they are known to travel as far north as Canada in the summer months.
During the winter months, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico, where they can find the warmer climate and food sources needed to survive. Because this migratory pattern, it is important for birders and other wildlife enthusiasts to be aware of the migratory patterns of these species of hummingbirds.
Species of Buff-Bellied Hummingbird
What Are the Key Features to Look for When Identifying a Calliope Hummingbird?
When identifying a calliope hummingbird, there are key features to consider. These include its small size, measuring around 3 inches in length, and its distinct plumage. Look for the male’s vibrant magenta throat and greenish upperparts, while females have greenish underparts with white tips on their tail feathers. These calliope hummingbird identification and characteristics are crucial for accurate species identification.
Conclusion
It is a hummingbird species found in parts of Central and South America. The bird is identifiable by its buff-colored belly, which gives it its name. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is a small bird with a length of only 4-5 inches.
Males and females look similar, but males have brighter plumage. Juvenile birds are paler than adults. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird breeds in tropical areas of Central and South America.
The bird builds its nest in trees or shrubs, using spider webs and plants to construct the cup-shaped structure. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is attracted to gardens and parks where flowers are blooming year-round. The bird feeds on nectar from these flowers, using its long tongue to reach into the center of the flower head.
Resources:
- https://education.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/link/all-about-birds-ruby-throated-hummingbird
- https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1196&context=etd
- http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Selasphorus_rufus.html
