Hummingbirds are a beloved part of nature in Mexico, just as they are in many other parts of the world. With over 300 different species, hummingbirds display an incredible diversity in color, size, behavior, and adaptations. In Mexico, hummingbirds go by a few different common names that highlight some of the unique traits of these tiny birds.
Colibrí
The most common Spanish name for hummingbirds in Mexico is “colibrí.” This term is used throughout Latin America and comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec language) word “huitzitzilin.” Colibrí refers to hummingbirds as a whole and does not distinguish between the different species.
The word colibrí echoes the sound that these birds make with their rapidly beating wings. Their wings can flap up to 200 times per second, producing the characteristic hum that gives hummingbirds their English name. Colibrí beautifully captures the essence of these energetic creatures in Spanish.
Chuparrosa
Another common Spanish name for hummingbirds in Mexico is “chuparrosa,” or “rose sucker.” This name refers to the hummingbird’s habit of drinking nectar from flowers, particularly roses.
Hummingbirds have specially adapted long, slender beaks and tongues that they use to retrieve nectar from blossoms. As they move from flower to flower, they transfer pollen from one plant to another, making them important pollinators.
The name chuparrosa highlights the mutually beneficial relationship between hummingbirds and flowers. The birds sip energy-rich nectar using their specialized feeders, and in return they ensure ongoing pollination and reproduction in plants.
Tzinitzcan
The word “tzinitzcan” comes from the Nahuatl words tzinitzilin (“hummingbird”) and tzan (“place”). It refers to a place where hummingbirds are abundant.
Certain high elevation mountain areas in Mexico host cloud forests that are ideal habitats for hummingbirds. There are zones along the mountain slopes where many different hummingbird species congregate to feed and breed. The concentration of these colorful, darting birds gave rise to the name tzinitzcan.
Some examples of tzinitzcans in Mexico include El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, and Cumbres de Monterrey National Park in Nuevo Leon. These protected lands harbor rich biodiversity, including numerous hummingbird species in the tzinitzcans.
Chupamirto
The name “chupamirto” literally means “myrtle sucker” in Spanish. It refers to hummingbirds’ attraction to the nectar of the myrtle plant.
There are over 200 species of myrtle worldwide, some of which have tubular flowers that provide an excellent nectar source for hummingbirds. In Mexico, varieties like the strawberry myrtle are native and popular choices for hummingbird gardens.
By naming the birds for their fondness for myrtle blossoms, the term chupamirto shows how plants and animals are connected. Hummingbirds and myrtles have evolved together, forming a cooperative partnership through nectar feeding.
Joya Alada
“Joya alada” means “winged jewel” in Spanish. This poetic name captures the magic of seeing a glimmering hummingbird hover at a flower.
The iridescent throat patches and feathers of hummingbirds flash brightly in the sunlight as they fly. Their jewel-like colors serve to attract mates and establish feeding territories.
By likening hummingbirds to winged jewels, the name joya alada conveys the radiance and wonder of these tiny creatures. It speaks to their natural beauty and rarity, like finding a precious gem in the wilderness.
Angelitos
Hummingbirds are sometimes called “angelitos” in Mexican culture, which translates to “little angels.” This affectionate name reflects the reverence many have for these delicate birds.
In ancient Aztec mythology, the hummingbird represented rebirth and the renewal of life. Due to their intelligence, bravery, and magical qualities, hummingbirds were considered spiritual creatures associated with deities.
The angelito title endures as a term of endearment for hummingbirds in Mexico. It honors them not only for their ethereal appearance, but also for their power as symbols of vitality and hope.
Common Mexican Hummingbird Species
With their unique names, hummingbirds reveal that language and culture are tied to ecology. The diversity of terms in Mexico mirrors the diversity of hummingbird species themselves.
Here are some magnificent hummingbirds found in Mexico along with their common English and Spanish names:
| English Name | Spanish Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|---|
| Green-breasted mango | Mango pechiverde | Anthracothorax prevostii |
| Gray-breasted sabrewing | Ermitaño barbinegro | Campylopterus largipennis |
| White-eared hummingbird | Orejiblanco | Basilinna leucotis |
| Broad-billed hummingbird | Pico ancho | Cynanthus latirostris |
| Berylline hummingbird | Beryllina | Amazilia beryllina |
| Buff-bellied hummingbird | Chupaflor de vientre canela | Amazilia yucatanensis |
| Violet-crowned hummingbird | Coronada violeta | Amazilia violiceps |
| Azure-crowned hummingbird | Zafiro corona azul | Amazilia cyanocephala |
| Rivoli’s hummingbird | Colibrí Rivoli | Eugenes fulgens |
Importance of Hummingbirds in Mexico
Hummingbirds hold a valuable place in Mexican ecology. Their natural history is intertwined with human history, language, and culture. Appreciating the bond between people and hummingbirds is key to ongoing conservation.
By visiting gardens, parks, reserves, and anywhere flowers bloom, we sustain the habitat these tiny treasures need. Providing food sources, nesting sites, and safe shelter allows hummingbirds to thrive.
Language also has power. The more we understand and use the beautiful Mexican names for hummingbirds, the more we engage with and honor them. Through cultivating deeper connections to nature, we commit to protecting biodiversity for the future.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds in Mexico go by descriptive names like colibrí, chuparrosa, and angelitos. These lyrical terms reflect Indigenous languages, history, and the interdependence between birds and plants.
Exploring Mexican folklore and language opens a window into environmental wisdom. It shows how greater knowledge and care for the natural world fosters thriving hummingbird habitats.
Hummingbirds are sources of joy and inspiration. Learning their names and observing them carefully is one of the delights of visiting Mexico. Watching their wings blur as they hover from flower to flower will make their various nicknames come to vivid life.
