Mexican Violetear

Brilliant sparkling green body with a striking violet-blue patch (ear tuft) extending from behind the eye down the side of the neck. The lower back and tail are shimmering blue-green, with a broad dark subterminal band on the rounded tail. Sexes are similar, though females may be slightly duller.

Brilliant green overall coloration, prominent violet-blue ear patch, and a slightly curved black bill with a rounded tail featuring a dark subterminal band.

Length: 9.7 to 12 cm (3.8 to 4.7 inches), Wingspan: approximately 14 to 15 cm, Weight: 4.8 to 5.6 grams.

A repeated, metallic, high-pitched chip or ticking call, often delivered persistently from a prominent perch.

Primarily feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants and supplements its diet with small insects caught in flight or gleaned from foliage.

Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, heavily degraded former forest, and high-elevation shrublands and gardens.

Mostly resident, though some populations undertake altitudinal migrations and individuals frequently wander north outside of the breeding season.

Builds a small, cup-shaped nest out of plant fibers and spider silk placed on a horizontal branch or twig, usually in a protected forest edge. Clutch size is typically 2 white eggs.

Lesser Violetear, which is smaller, has a more restricted violet patch, and is found further south in South America.

Acts as an important pollinator for numerous flowering plants and trees throughout its highland forest range.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend.

Look for them at mid-to-high elevations in montane forests, forest edges, and gardens with flowering feeders. They are bold and often perch conspicuously on exposed branches.

Mexican Violetears are known for their loud, mechanical-sounding song and can be surprisingly dominant and territorial over rich nectar sources, sometimes chasing away much larger birds.