There are a few birds that resemble giant hummingbirds due to their similar body shape and feeding behaviors. The most notable is the giant hummingbird, which despite its name, is not actually closely related to hummingbirds. There are also a few species of flowerpiercers that have evolved hummingbird-like characteristics to feed on nectar. While not perfect lookalikes, these birds have some similarities in appearance and behavior that may cause them to be confused with hummingbirds upon first glance.
Giant Hummingbird
The giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest member of the hummingbird family, measuring up to 8.2 inches in length. Despite its name, it is not closely related to other hummingbirds and is placed in its own genus Patagona. This South American species has a long, curved bill and long wings, giving it a body shape reminiscent of a large hummingbird or swift.
The giant hummingbird’s plumage is drab compared to many smaller hummingbird species. Its back and crown are bronze-green, while the underside is grayish with green spotting. Like hummingbirds, the male giant hummingbird has vibrant, iridescent throat feathers, in this case a deep violet-blue. When flying, the giant hummingbird’s silhouette and flight style very much resembles an oversized version of its smaller relatives. It beats its wings rapidly, allowing it to hover in place.
Behavior and Habitat
In terms of behavior, the giant hummingbird also shares some similarities with smaller hummingbird species. It is a nectar specialist, using its long, specialized tongue to drink nectar from flowers. Some of its preferred food sources are the flowers of the genera Bomarea, Fuchsia, and Lapageria. The giant hummingbird supplements its diet with insects, catching them on the wing or gleaning them from foliage.
The giant hummingbird inhabits mountain forest edges and scrubland in the Andes range of South America. It is found at elevations between 2500-4800 meters. Though a South American native, it has been spotted as a rare vagrant in Central America.
Differences from Hummingbirds
Despite the many hummingbird-like traits of the giant hummingbird, there are several key differences that set it apart from true hummingbirds. A few of these include:
- Larger size – The giant hummingbird is the second largest species of hummingbird-like bird after the giant hermit.
- Different taxonomic family – True hummingbirds are in the family Trochilidae, while giant hummingbirds are in a separate family, Patagonidae.
- Longer wings – The giant hummingbird has proportionally longer wings that are more crescent shaped.
- More powerful flight – The wing beats of giant hummingbirds are slower than hummingbirds.
- Smaller legs and feet – Hummingbirds have proportionally larger legs and feet to allow for perching.
| Trait | Giant Hummingbird | Typical Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Up to 8.2 inches | 2-8 inches |
| Wingspan | 11.8-12.6 inches | 3-4 inches |
| Weight | 0.8-1.6 oz | 0.1-0.2 oz |
| Flight style | Slow, graceful wingbeats | Fast, blurry wingbeats |
So while the giant hummingbird fills an ecological niche similar to hummingbirds and has convergently evolved some hummingbird-like adaptations, it is taxonomically distinct. Under closer scrutiny, a number of physical differences separate it from true hummingbirds.
Flowerpiercers
Members of the genus Diglossa, known as flowerpiercers, also bear a resemblance to giant hummingbirds in some regards. They have evolved long, pointed bills adapted for nectar-robbing – piercing at the base of flowers to access nectar. This convergent evolution has resulted in flowerpiercers developing some body shapes and behaviors reminiscent of hummingbirds.
There are around 14 recognized species of flowerpiercer that inhabit mountain forests in Central and South America. They are small passerine birds measuring 4.7-7.5 inches in length, withslender bodies and long tails and beaks. Their coloring is generally dull black, gray, and olive.
Behavioral and Physical Adaptations
Flowerpiercers have a number of adaptations that facilitate a nectar-robbing lifestyle similar to hummingbirds:
- Long curved bills to penetrate flower bases and extract nectar
- Brush-tipped tongues with hair-like structures to lap up nectar
- Small body size to fit within flowers
- Iridescent plumage on the males of some species
- Ability to hover briefly when visiting flowers
- High metabolism to power flight and process sugars
When feeding, flowerpiercers will puncture the base of a flower with their beak and use their specialized tongue to reach the nectar within. They sometimes also catch small insects on the wing. Their hovering ability, while not as advanced as hummingbirds, allows them improved maneuverability when visiting flowers.
Differences from Hummingbirds
While flowerpiercers are often mistaken for hummingbirds at first glance, several traits differentiate them:
- Larger body size than most hummingbirds
- Pointed conical bill adapted for piercing
- Less sustained hovering ability
- Oscine passerines rather than near passerines like hummingbirds
- Diet consists of more insects and fruit in addition to nectar
- Build tiny cup nests rather than simply laying eggs on branches
So while flowerpiercers possess some adaptations for nectar-feeding, they lack other anatomical traits that would classify them as specialist nectarivores like hummingbirds. Their similarities are a result of convergent evolution rather than a close relationship.
Other Bird Species Resembling Hummingbirds
A few other birds around the world have taken on a superficial resemblance to hummingbirds:
- Sunbirds (Africa & Asia) – Small, colorful passerines with thin curved bills adapted for nectar-feeding.
- Honeyeaters (Australia & Oceania) – Medium-sized birds with long, slender bills suited to accessing nectar.
- Swallow-tanagers (South America) – Mid-sized passerines with long, forked tails and slightly curved beaks.
- Nectariniidae – The Old World counterparts to hummingbirds, found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Like flowerpiercers, these species have independently evolved some morphological and behavioral traits for harvesting nectar from flowers. However, they lack key hummingbird characteristics that would classify them as true nectarivores. Their similarities are the product of convergent evolution in widely separated parts of the world.
Conclusion
In summary, while several birds bear a resemblance to hummingbirds in their outward appearance and feeding behaviors, the giant hummingbird and flowerpiercers provide two of the closest examples in the Americas. Upon closer inspection, both groups differ substantially from hummingbirds in their anatomy, taxonomy, and other traits. Their likeness stems from occupying a similar ecological niche and convergently evolving some adaptations for nectar-feeding. However, no species is a perfect stand-in for the unique and specialized hummingbirds. Other bird groups around the world demonstrate just how advantageous certain traits are for accessing nectar, leading to repeated evolution of long bills, brush tongues, hovering flight, and other hummingbird-esque features. So while different, these hummingbird lookalikes provide an example of how form follows function across widely separated species.
