The short answer is yes, hummingbird and colibri are two names for the same type of bird. Hummingbirds are a family of small, fast-flying birds found only in the Americas. In English, they are commonly called hummingbirds, while in many languages of Central and South America they are referred to as colibris or a similar word.
To provide more details:
What is a hummingbird?
Hummingbirds are birds comprising the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, with most species measuring only 7.5–13 cm (3–5 in) in length. The smallest extant bird species is the 5 cm (2 in) bee hummingbird.
They are known as hummingbirds because of the humming sound created by their beating wings which flap at high frequencies audible to humans. They hover in mid-air at rapid wing-flapping rates, typically around 50 times per second, allowing them to reach speeds exceeding 15 m/s (54 km/h; 34 mph).
Characteristics of hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have the following characteristics:
- Small size, ranging from 5 cm to 13 cm in length
- Ability to hover in midair and fly backwards
- Rapid wing beats, around 50 flaps per second
- Long, needle-like bills adapted for reaching nectar
- Extremely rapid metabolisms
- Bright, iridescent plumage
Their small size, rapid flight, and ability to hover allows them to feed on flower nectar that few other animals can access. Their metabolism is faster than that of any other animal, enabling them to meet their high energy needs.
What does the name ‘colibri’ mean?
Colibri is a term used in many Latin American countries that comes from the Taino Indian word ‘kolibri’, which was their name for the hummingbird. The Taino were an indigenous people of the Caribbean and Florida.
The word colibri entered Spanish during colonization and was adopted in countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
So colibri is a Latin American word for hummingbirds that comes from the indigenous Taino language.
Origin and meaning of ‘colibri’
- Comes from the Taino Indian word ‘kolibri’
- Taino were a Caribbean indigenous group
- Entered Spanish during colonization of the Americas
- Used in many Latin American countries today
- Directly translates to ‘hummingbird’ in Taino
Are hummingbird and colibri exactly the same thing?
Yes, hummingbird and colibri refer to precisely the same type of bird in the family Trochilidae. The two terms are exact synonyms.
The only difference is that hummingbird is the English term, while colibri is derived from the Taino language and used in Spanish and Latin American countries.
But both terms refer to the same delicate, rapidly fluttering birds with long bills and the ability to hover that are found throughout the Americas.
Ways hummingbird and colibri are the same:
- Refer to the same family of birds – Trochilidae
- Describe small, fast-flying nectar feeding birds
- Indicate birds with the ability to hover in midair
- Used in different languages/locations to name the same animal
So in essence, hummingbird = colibri. Both terms can be used interchangeably without any difference in meaning.
Examples of hummingbird species also called colibri
Here are some specific examples of hummingbird species that demonstrate how hummingbird and colibri are used interchangeably:
Hummingbird (English) | Colibri (Spanish) |
---|---|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Colibrí garganta de rubí |
Rufous Hummingbird | Colibrí rufo |
Allen’s Hummingbird | Colibrí de Allen |
Broad-billed Hummingbird | Colibrí pico ancho |
As you can see from these examples, the same species names are used in both English and Spanish. The only difference is substituting “hummingbird” with “colibri”.
Key points about the examples:
- Show identical species referred to as hummingbird in English
- In Spanish are called colibri instead of hummingbird
- Highlights that hummingbird and colibri are interchangeable
- Works for a variety of different Trochilidae species
Are there any differences between hummingbirds and colibris?
No, there are no differences whatsoever between hummingbirds and colibris. The terms are completely interchangeable.
Hummingbirds and colibris:
- Refer to the exact same family of birds
- Share all physical, behavioral, and biological traits
- Overlap 100% in terms of species referred to
- Differ only in being English vs. Spanish/Latin American names
Some key points showing their equivalence:
Taxonomy
Both belong to the scientific family Trochilidae.
Appearance
Hummingbirds and colibris share small size, iridescent plumage, elongated bills, and other physical features.
Behavior
Both terms refer to birds that can hover, fly backwards, and have rapid wing-flapping.
Geography
The birds live only in the Americas, with overlapping ranges in North, Central, and South America.
Ecology
Hummingbirds and colibris fill the same ecological niches as nectar pollinators and insectivores.
So in summary, hummingbirds and colibris are 100% identical in every way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hummingbird and colibri are two different terms that refer to exactly the same group of birds in the family Trochilidae. Colibri comes from the Taino Indian word and is used in Spanish and Latin America, while hummingbird is the English word. But both terms can be used interchangeably without any difference in meaning.
Hummingbirds and colibris share all traits, behaviors, physical features, and species. The only difference is the language used – English vs. Spanish/Latin American. So hummingbird = colibri in every way!