AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Thalurania colombica
Crowned Woodnymph
(Bourcier, 1843)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-sized hummingbird with a slightly decurved black bill. The male features a brilliant violet-blue crown, an iridescent green throat and breast, and a dark blue or purple belly with a deeply forked blue-black tail. The female is significantly duller, with a metallic green back, grayish-white underparts, and a shorter tail with white tips.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Caprimulgiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Trochilidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Thalurania
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Bourcier, 1843)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Decreasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits the understory and mid-story of humid lowland forests, mature secondary woodlands, and semi-open forest edges. They are also frequently observed visiting flowering gardens, coffee plantations, and shrubby clearings adjacent to dense forest canopies.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal and solitary. They spend their days hovering near flowers to extract nectar and performing short, agile sallying flights to catch small insects mid-air. Males spend significant time on high, exposed perches singing squeaky songs to assert dominance.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Extremely antisocial and aggressive. Except during courtship or a mother raising her chicks, individuals do not tolerate close proximity and will actively engage in fast aerial chases to defend feeding resources.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Nectarivore and aerial insectivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Primarily nectarivorous, feeding on flowers of Heliconia, Ericaceae, and various epiphytes, supplemented by small arthropods (flies, spiders, wasps). Preyed upon by forest hawks, owls, larger flycatchers, tree snakes, and praying mantises.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Polygamous. Males gather in loose leks or sing from fixed perches to perform U-shaped aerial display dives to attract females. After mating, the male has no role in selecting the nest site, building the nest, or raising the young.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
9.5 - 11.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
3.4 g - 4.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
10 - 12 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
15 - 19
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 5 Years
Females3 - 5 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Vibrant and colorful plumage; possesses an iridescent violet-blue crown and upper back, glowing emerald throat, forked long blue-black tail, and overall larger body mass.
Females Multi-lang
Duller, well-camouflaged plumage; entire upperparts are bright metallic green, while the underparts are uniform solid grayish-white. Tail is shorter, less notched, and features distinct white corner tips.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Possesses specialized, high-frequency flight muscles and extreme shoulder joint rotation that enable hovering and backward flight while feeding on delicate flowers.
Equipped with a long, extensible, split-tipped tongue that uses capillary action to rapidly pump and extract nectar from various tubular corollas.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and deforestation which depletes native flowering plants and nesting corridors.
Climate change altering the flowering phenology of their primary nectar resources, creating seasonal mismatches in food availability.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Males are highly territorial 'territory holders' or high-ranking trap-liners that aggressively chase away larger birds, and even bees, from high-quality flower clumps.
The female builds a compact cup nest out of plant down and moss, weaving it together with spider silk to allow the nest to expand as the chicks grow.