Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, but even among hummingbirds there are differences in size. The largest hummingbird species is known as the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas). This impressive bird lives in the Andes Mountains of South America and is the only member of the Patagona genus.
Quick Facts on the Giant Hummingbird
Here are some key facts about the giant hummingbird:
- Scientific name: Patagona gigas
- Average length: 8.6-9.8 inches (22-25 cm)
- Average weight: 0.8-1.7 ounces (23-48 grams)
- Wingspan: 4.7-5.9 inches (12-15 cm)
- The only member of the Patagona genus
- Found in the Andes Mountains of South America
- Largest hummingbird species in the world
Appearance and Size
With an average length of 8.6-9.8 inches (22-25 cm) and weight of 0.8-1.7 ounces (23-48 grams), the giant hummingbird is the largest of all hummingbird species. For comparison, the average length of a typical hummingbird is 2.4-4 inches (6-10 cm).
The giant hummingbird has brightly iridescent plumage that can appear coppery green or golden reddish-brown depending on the lighting. The males have brightly colored throats that range from metallic blue to purple. Females are slightly duller in appearance with some spotting on the throat.
In addition to its large size, the giant hummingbird has some key physical features:
- Long, straight bill
- Reddish feet
- Broad, round tail
- Relatively short wings considering its size
The giant hummingbird’s wings beat approximately 12-15 times per second. Despite having proportionally smaller wings than other hummingbird species, the physical power of its wingbeats allows it to hover and fly effectively given its larger size.
Habitat and Range
The giant hummingbird is found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of South America. Its range extends about 2,500 miles from Venezuela south to Chile and Argentina.
Within this range, the giant hummingbird prefers high elevation areas between 9,800-15,000 feet. It is found in scrub, meadows, and forest edges of this mountain habitat.
A few key areas where the giant hummingbird can be found include:
- The Páramo ecosystem – High elevation grasslands in the Andes.
- Yungas forest – Andean cloud forest.
- Altiplano – High elevation Andean plateaus.
The giant hummingbird has adapted to thrive in the relatively cold, thin air of these high mountain elevations. Its large size is likely an evolutionary adaptation to help retain body heat in cold temperatures.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, the giant hummingbird has a specialized diet of nectar and small insects or spiders.
Some key facts about its diet include:
- Feeds on the nectar from a variety of Andean mountain flowers such as succulents and epiphytes.
- Will eat small insects and spiders for additional protein.
- Has a long, specialized tongue adapted for accessing nectar.
- Generally feeds while hovering, but can also perch to feed.
- Requires significant calories from nectar to maintain its high metabolism.
The giant hummingbird’s large size requires a proportionally greater food intake. It consumes more calories per day compared to smaller hummingbird species.
This nectar diet provides quick energy from sugars. The giant hummingbird supplements this with insects for essential amino acids and nutrients.
Unique Adaptations
As the largest species of hummingbird, the giant hummingbird has some unique evolutionary adaptations:
- Large size – Being much larger than other hummingbirds allows it to retain heat more efficiently in cold Andean temperatures.
- Lower wingbeat rate – The giant hummingbird’s lower wingbeat rate compared to smaller species prevents overheating.
- Slower metabolism – A relatively slower metabolism compared to smaller hummingbirds reduces its energy needs.
- Larger stomach – A proportionally larger stomach allows it to store more nectar energy.
These adaptations allow the giant hummingbird to survive and thrive in its harsh, cold, high-elevation habitat.
Interesting Behaviors
The giant hummingbird exhibits some interesting behaviors adapted to its environment:
- Aggressive – Will aggressively defend flower territories against other hummingbirds.
- Vocalizations – Makes a range of squeaking, chipping, whistling and popping sounds.
- Omnivorous – Will eat tree sap for an additional energy source.
- Cold hardy – Capable of slowing its metabolism to survive cold nights.
- Rain resistance – Morphology allows it to shake water off its plumage easily.
The giant hummingbird is less social than many smaller species. But it will gather in small groups at prime flower locations.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. They fly in loops and dives to show off their iridescent plumage.
Breeding and Nesting
The giant hummingbird breeds at various times of the year depending on its range. Breeding generally coincides with peaks in flower availability.
Some key facts about its breeding and nesting:
- Female builds a small cup-shaped nest out of plant materials and spider webs.
- Nest is lined with soft plant down and usually placed on a downward sloping branch.
- Lays 2 eggs per brood, white to pale creamy in color.
- Incubation period is ~15-19 days.
- Chicks are born helpless, featherless, with eyes closed.
- Young fledge the nest at 6-7 weeks old.
The female cares for and feeds the chicks after hatching. She may raise 2-3 broods over the course of a breeding season.
Population and Conservation
The giant hummingbird has a relatively broad range and stable population. Its conservation status is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Some key population and conservation details:
- Global population estimated at 1 million to 10 million individuals.
- Population considered stable currently, not under immediate threat.
- Parts of range affected by habitat loss and degradation.
- Climate change may impact high elevation habitat in the future.
- Not considered globally threatened or endangered.
While not threatened presently, some conservation actions could help preserve populations:
- Protection of remaining habitat, especially high elevation areas.
- Monitoring for potential impacts of climate change.
- Ecotourism management to limit disturbance.
Fun Facts
Here are a few fun and interesting facts about the giant hummingbird:
- The giant hummingbird is the national bird of Chile.
- One of the few birds that can fly backwards as well as forwards.
- Has the second largest egg-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, after the ostrich.
- Known as the “Picaflor Gigante” in Spanish, which literally means “giant hummingbird.”
- Called “Pitiarahu” in the Quecha indigenous language of the Andes.
- Played an important role in Inca mythology and culture, appearing in pottery, textiles, and ceremonies.
The giant hummingbird’s impressive size and Andean habitat make it a fascinating species to many birdwatchers and biologists.
Key Facts Summary
To summarize the key facts:
- The giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest species of hummingbird.
- It measures 8.6-9.8 inches long and weighs 0.8-1.7 ounces on average.
- Lives exclusively in the Andes Mountains, range extends 2,500 miles from Venezuela to Chile/Argentina.
- Prefers high elevations between 9,800-15,000 feet in elevation.
- Eats mainly nectar from Andean flowers, supplements diet with small insects.
- Has unique adaptations like large size and slower metabolism.
- Exhibits some interesting behaviors like defending flower territories.
- Global population stable, not considered threatened presently.
In terms of key measurements, the giant hummingbird truly lives up to its name as the largest species of these energetic, hovering birds.
Conclusion
The giant hummingbird holds the title of the largest species of hummingbird in the world. With an average length of 8-10 inches and weight nearing an ounce, it is over twice as large as the average hummingbird.
This impressive bird is found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of South America. It prefers the cold, thin air of high elevations between 9,800-15,000 feet. Here it feeds on nectar from mountain flowers and insects.
Some of the giant hummingbird’s unique adaptations include a large size for retaining heat, slower metabolism, and proportionally smaller wings. Despite its bulk, it can still hover and fly with great agility like all hummingbirds.
Currently the giant hummingbird is considered to have a stable global population. But habitat loss and climate change may threaten some parts of its specialized high elevation habitat. Ecotourism, conservation measures, and monitoring will help protect the habitats of the largest and most unique hummingbird species on Earth.
