I am starting a delayed blog of a recent trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos.

A good day spent in just one spot with three species of hummingbirds at a Lodge overlooking the city of Quito, Ecuador. The masters of the domain were the aggressive Shining Sunbeams (Aglaeactis cupripennis), who guarded every feeder from other users, including others of their own species. Their common name is derived from the beautifully iridescent feathers at the base of the tail in the female that dazzle with a rainbow of colors in the right light as shown in the image below.

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
Ecuador, October

The Sparking Emerald Ear (Colibri coruscans), a widely distributed species along the Andes, is an elegant bird with long slender neck and the eponymous patch of violet on the ear with a stripe extending behind the neck to the other ear. The tail and tail coverlets are also striking.

Sparking Violetear (Colibri coruscans) Quito, Ecuador. October

The last of the trio is the diminutive Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina). This bird has a green iridescent throat and crimson/copper tail feathers – hence the name!

Tryian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina) Quito, Ecuador. October