Blue-throated hummingbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue-throated hummingbird |
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Lampornis
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| Lampornis clemenciae |
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The blue-throated hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) is a special type of hummingbird. It is one of the larger hummingbirds. It grows to about 11.5 to 12.5 centimeters (4.5 to 5 inches) long. It usually weighs between 6 and 10 grams.
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What Does It Look Like?
The blue-throated hummingbird has a dark green back. This color fades into a medium gray on its belly. It has a bright white stripe right behind its eye. Another thinner white stripe goes from the corner of its beak. This stripe outlines a dark patch on its cheek.
Its tail feathers are a shiny blue-black color. The outer two or three pairs of these feathers have wide white tips. This makes their tail look very striking.
Why Is It Called "Blue-throated"?
This hummingbird gets its name from the male bird. Adult males have a bright, shiny blue patch on their throat. This special patch is called a gorget. It looks like a sparkling blue bib!
Female blue-throated hummingbirds do not have this blue patch. Their throats are a plain gray color instead. This makes it easy to tell the males and females apart.
Hummingbird Songs
Male blue-throated hummingbirds sing two different kinds of songs. One is a simple "peep song." It sounds a bit like a squeaky wheel. The other is a quiet but strong "whisper song."
Scientists think that female hummingbirds might also sing. They might do this during the breeding season to attract males.
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