Violetears are a group of hummingbirds found in Central and South America. They get their name from the vibrant violet color on the ears and throat of adult males. There are 23 recognized species of violetears, which vary in size and exact coloration. When it comes to wingspan, different violetear species have slightly different measurements.
Quick Answer
The wingspan of violetears ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9 to 11 centimeters) across species. The average wingspan is around 4 inches (10 cm).
Wingspan of Popular Violetear Species
Here are the wingspans of some of the most widespread and recognized violetear species:
- Green Violetear – 4 inches (10 cm)
- Sparkling Violetear – 4.3 inches (11 cm)
- Blue-vented Violetear – 3.9 inches (10 cm)
- Black-eared Fairy – 3.5 inches (9 cm)
- Lesser Violetear – 4.1 inches (10.5 cm)
As you can see, most violetear species have a wingspan between 3.5 and 4.5 inches. The largest wingspan within the group belongs to the Sparkling Violetear at 4.3 inches across. The smallest wingspan is the Black-eared Fairy at just 3.5 inches.
Wingspan Compared to Body Size
In proportion to their body size, violetears have relatively broad wings compared to other hummingbird species. The wide surface area of their wings allows violetears to hover and maneuver very well. Their wings are also shaped to enable the high-speed flapping necessary for hummingbird flight.
The average violetear body length is 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm). So their wingspan is equal to or slightly greater than their total body length. This allows the wings to generate enough lift to support their lightweight body and enables sustained hovering flight.
Differences Between Males and Females
There is little sexual dimorphism when it comes to wingspan in violetears. This means that males and females have approximately the same wingspan relative to their body size.
Adult males tend to be slightly larger than females overall. But the difference amounts to just a few millimeters of extra wingspan in most species. The wingspans given above apply to both males and females of each species.
During flight, it is very difficult to distinguish males from females based solely on wingspan or wing shape. Identifying characteristics like the violet ear tufts are a better indicator of sex.
Wingspan and Flight Abilities
The wingspan of violetears suits their energetic lifestyle and feeding habits. With broad wings relative to their body, violetears can stay aloft for extended periods of time with minimal exertion.
Their ability to hover in place gives them ready access to nectar from flowers, which is their primary food source. Their wings allow quick adjustments to maintain hovering position while feeding.
The rounded tips of violetear wings also enable excellent maneuverability and precision flying. This helps them access blossoms and quickly change direction to visit different flowers.
In some violetear courtship displays, males make rapid dives and climbs to show off for females. The wing structure facilitates these aerial acrobatics as well.
Comparison to Other Hummingbirds
Violetears have a similar wingspan compared to other hummingbird species of the same overall size. For example, the 4-inch Blue-vented Violetear has a comparable wingspan to the 4-inch Magnificent Hummingbird.
Very small hummingbirds in the bee and woodstar groups tend to have proportionally smaller wings relative to their body size. The wings of the 2.5 inch Bee Hummingbird measure just 1.6 inches tip to tip. Though with their faster wing beat they can match the agility of larger hummingbirds.
On the opposite end, larger hummingbirds like the Giant Hummingbird have tremendously broad wings that allow greater payload capacity and extended gliding ability on top of nimble hovering.
Wingspan Range Across Hummingbird Family
Looking at over 300 hummingbird species, wingspans range dramatically from just over 1 inch to nearly 8 inches:
- Bee Hummingbird – 1.6 inches
- Calliope Hummingbird – 3 inches
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – 4 inches
- Giant Hummingbird – 7.5 inches
With their 4-inch average wingspan, violetears fall right in the middle of the range exhibited across the diverse hummingbird family. The violetear wingspan allows excellent maneuverability and sustained flight while still being compact enough for accessing flower blossoms.
Wingspan of Juvenile Violetears
Hatchlings and nestling violetears have much shorter wingspans than fully grown adults. Like other bird species, their wings grow rapidly but proportional to their small, developing body size.
Fledgling violetears leave the nest at 2-3 weeks old at which point their wings measure around 1 inch tip to tip. Their wingspan will approximately double in the following 1-2 weeks as the juveniles practice flying and develop flight muscles.
By 2 months of age, juvenile violetears attain full adult wingspan. Their broad wings help them keep up with adults on feeding forays and migratory journeys as they become independent.
Measuring Wingspan
Researchers measure violetear wingspans either on live captive birds or preserved museum specimens. Live measurements are taken by gently spreading one wing out flat against a ruler.
On preserved study skins, the wings are carefully extended to full span across graph paper or a digitally calibrated surface. Multiple specimens are measured to determine an average species wingspan.
High speed video has also been used to estimate wingspan based on the visual span during specific flight maneuvers. markings on the wings can provide measurement scale points.
In the field, many hummingbird wingspans are based on visual estimates rather than physical measurements. But researchers can get quite accurate just from observing the birds in hovering flight.
Changes to Wingspan Over Lifespan
Violetears’ wingspan stays consistent once the juveniles reach maturity after a couple months of age. There is no significant change in wingspan for the remainder of their lifespan.
Unlike some bird groups, hummingbirds exhibit very minimal wing molt. Adult hummingbirds replace only a few worn primary wing feathers each year rather than undergoing a complete molt.
This consistent wing structure maintains optimal aerodynamic capabilities year round throughout the violetears’ typical 5 year lifespan. Their wingspan does not substantially shrink or expand with age after reaching adulthood.
Role of Diet in Wingspan
There is evidence that access to adequate nutrition impacts wing development and adult wingspan in hummingbirds. Insufficient nectar availability when young may result in slightly stunted growth.
However, most measurements indicate the species-specific wingspans given above persist regardless of minor environmental variations. Once growth is complete, diet does not appear to change adult violetear wingspan.
Maintaining energy reserves through regular feeding is crucial though for violetears to make full use of their wingspan. Frequent feeding provides the fuel needed to power their metabolically demanding hovering flight.
Genetic Factors
Like all morphological traits, much of the wingspan variation in violetears is attributed to genetic differences. Each species possesses adapted wing proportions encoded in their DNA.
Even within a species, normal genetic variation between individuals leads to subtle ups and downs in wingspan around the average value. Occasional random mutations may also alter wing development.
Selective breeding experiments could likely modify violetear wingspan over generations. But in natural settings, their wing proportions remain stable due to lack of selective pressures.
Environmental Impacts
Violetear habitat does not seem to significantly influence average wingspan. Tropical forests, mountain cloud forests, and scrubby deserts all harbor violetear species with similar wing proportions.
One environmental factor that may select for longer or shorter wingspans is the density and distribution of flower resources. More dispersed nectar sources may favor broader wings for covering more distance.
But most environments offer a mix of clustered and widespread flowers that can be exploited by violetears’ medium-sized versatile wingspan.
Conclusion
With a wingspan ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 inches, violetears exhibit the medium proportions typical of many small hummingbird species. Their adapted wing structure allows sustained hovering flight and access to blossoms, powering their high-energy lifestyles.
A combination of genetic programming and developmental conditions produce the standard wingspans for each violetear species. These specialized traits equip them for life as agile, aerial pollinators across diverse Latin American habitats.