The Mangrove HummingbirdThe Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia boucard) is one of the few species endemic to Costa Rica. Found in Costa Rica's mangrove and the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Mangrove Hummingbird has bronze green upper parts and a glittering bluish-green breast. It also has a medium-sized black and red bill with a downward curve.
The females are very similar to the males but they have an array of green spots on their neck. Around 10 centimeters, with narrow wings, the Mangrove Hummingbird have become adapted to hovering because their legs and feet are small and weak. On average, their wings beat about 200 times per second. The Mangrove Hummingbird feeds almost entirely on nectar. They are said to feed from as many as 1,000 to 1,200 flowers, especially the tea mangroves. Although it is illegal to cut down mangrove trees in Costa Rica, people still do which causes problems for the population because the only place the Mangrove Hummingbirds live are in those mangrove trees. Large photo: http://www.biofotos.org/biofotos/Detalle.aspx?Cat=1&Esp=375
Small photo: http://www.billhubick.com/photos/updates/200703_cr_05.php flapping: http://njhawkins.com/mangrove-hummingbird-leaving-the-nest/ |