Hummingbirds are known for their colorful plumage and rapid wing beats. Of the over 300 species of hummingbirds found worldwide, several have distinctive orange beaks. The hummingbird’s beak allows it to feed on nectar from flowers. The color comes from pigments that attract pollinators. An orange beak indicates a species specially adapted to feeding from certain bright, tubular flowers.
To identify a hummingbird species by its orange beak, we must look to those found in North and South America, where hummingbirds are native. Potential candidates include species from the genera Aphantochroa, Discosura, Colibri, Anthracothorax and Eulampis. By examining key traits like range and beak shape, we can pinpoint the hummingbird species sporting this eye-catching orange feature.
Aphantochroa
The Aphantochroa genus of hummingbirds includes 6 species found from Mexico to Peru. Several Aphantochroa species have red or orange coloring on their beaks.
Aphantochroa cirrochloris, the sombre hummingbird, has an all black body with a hint of green on its tail feathers. Its distinguishing feature is a curved orange beak with a black tip. This hummingbird is found in forests and woodlands from southern Mexico to Panama.
The Guatemalan violetear, Aphantochroa guatemalae, lives up to its name with violet ear patches. It has an orange bill with a black tip. This species ranges from southern Mexico to Honduras.
While stunning, neither of these Aphantochroa hummingbirds have entirely orange beaks. We must look elsewhere to find our all-orange-beaked bird.
Discosura
Discosura is a genus of 6 hummingbird species found in the Andes mountains of South America. Most are primarily green in color.
Discosura conversii, the red-billed streamertail, is true to its name with a red-orange bill. But this Jamaican endemic has a very limited range compared to other widespread hummingbird species.
The green thorntail, Discosura popelairii, gets its name from the colorful orange-tipped thorns on its tail feathers. Its bill is multi-colored, starting orange at the base fading to yellow then black at the tip.
While the Discosura genus contains red and orange-billed hummingbirds, none have uniformly orange beaks.
Colibri
The 15 species in the genus Colibri are found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. These quick, agile hummingbirds occupy a variety of habitats.
One Colibri species renowned for its brilliant orange bill is the orange-billed firecrown, Colibri delphinae. This aptly named hummingbird has a bright orange beak that matches the orange feathers at the base of its neck.
The firecrown’s range extends along the Andes from Venezuela to Argentina. It inhabits montane forest and shrubland at elevations up to 12,500 feet. This high-altitude adapted hummingbird can survive cold temperatures and low oxygen environments.
With its widespread distribution and unmistakable solid orange bill, the firecrown perfectly matches the description of an orange-beaked hummingbird. But could other Colibri species also fit the bill?
Other Colibri Species
Two other Colibri species have partial orange coloring on their beaks but lack the solid orange bill of the firecrown.
The sparkling violetear, Colibri coruscans, is aptly named for its dazzling ear tufts. Its curved bill has orange on the lower mandible but the upper portion is black. This species ranges from Mexico to Peru.
The lesser violetear, Colibri cyanotus, is predominantly green with a hint of violet at the ears. Its bill is also a mix of orange and black. This hummingbird can be found from Nicaragua to Bolivia.
While beautiful birds, neither the sparkling nor lesser violetear have the definitive all-orange bill of the firecrown.
Anthracothorax
The genus Anthracothorax contains 11 known species of hummingbirds found from the southwestern United States to Panama. These vibrant birds often have brightly colored body feathers and iridescent throats. The most famous Anthracothorax species is the ruby-throated hummingbird of the eastern United States.
The Mexican sheartail, Anthracothorax prevostii, is the only Anthracothorax species with orange in its bill. True to its name, this hummingbird has a sheared off square tail. Its bill has a black upper mandible and orange lower mandible.
The Mexican sheartail ranges from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas through Mexico and Guatemala. It prefers dry forest and scrub habitat. With its split-color bill, it does not match our criteria for an all-orange beaked hummingbird.
Eulampis
The Eulampis genus contains 4 Caribbean hummingbird species. These include the green-throated carib of the Lesser Antilles and the Antillean crested hummingbird of the Virgin Islands.
The purple-throated carib, Eulampis jugularis, is aptly named for its brilliant purple throat patch. And it has a long curved orange bill perfect for sipping nectar from tropical flowers.
This species is native to the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia, Dominica and Martinique. Though limited in range, it is relatively common and can readily be spotted feeding on colorful blossoms.
With its solid orange bill and Caribbean island distribution, the purple-throated carib perfectly fits the profile of the orange-beaked hummingbird in question.
Conclusion
In summary, most hummingbird species in the Americas have adapted their bill shape and color to match their food sources. Traits like curved bills and striped or multicolored patterns allow access to specialized flowers.
But only a select few hummingbirds sport uniform solid orange bills. From the hundreds of species across dozens of genera, two stand out:
- The orange-billed firecrown – Colibri delphinae
- The purple-throated carib – Eulampis jugularis
Based on the question, the distinguishing criteria for the orange-beaked hummingbird appears to be:
- Found in North or South America
- Entirely orange bill
- Wide geographic range
With its extensive Andean distribution and bright distinctive orange bill, the firecrown, Colibri delphinae, matches these criteria best.
Found high in the mountains from Venezuela to Argentina, the firecrown is the quintessential solid orange-billed hummingbird of the Americas. Its brightly colored bill and feathers are specially adapted to feed on colorful montane flowers.
So when looking for our orange-beaked hummingbird, the firecrown is undoubtedly our bird. Its bright bill can’t be missed against the skyline of the Andes, making it the perfect symbol of South America’s stunning biodiversity.
