Violet-bellied hummingbird

The violet-bellied hummingbird (Chlorestes julie) is a species of hummingbird characterized by the male's shimmering violet belly.

The violet-bellied hummingbird is characterized by the male's shimmering violet belly. The rest of its body is just as brilliant; its back and crown being a metallic green. The violet belly, however, is not shared between the sexes as this species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The characteristics they do share include long, rounded tails, straight and short bills, and pink lower mandibles.

Adult:

The male violet-bellied hummingbird is more brightly colored than its female counterpart. Its breast and belly is a violet blue while its back, crown, and throat is a metallic green. While the rump is more of a bronze green. The rectrices are a blue black while the belly and undertail coverts are a dull black with a blue/green sheen. Around the tibia are white tufts which are framed by partly white spots on its belly. The feathers on its wings are dusky with a purple sheen. On average males are 7.5 cm long and weigh 3.4 g.

The female violet-bellied hummingbird is more dull than its male counterpart. Though its back, crown, and throat, is a similar metallic bronze green, its belly is a pale gray rather than a bright violet. Its rump and uppertail coverts are more bronze than green while undertail coverts are a dull brown gray. The rectrices can also be a blue black or a blueish green, and the outer rectrices are tipped with pale gray. Similar to the males, the females' wings are dusky with a purple sheen. Commonly in subspecies panamensis, the sides of the throat may be spotted with metallic green. On average females are 7 cm long and weigh 3.0 g.

Juvenile plumage has only been documented for immature males. They appear similar to an adult female although they may have some patches of violet on their belly or a sparkling green foreneck.

The molt pattern of this species is also yet to be described.

Violet-bellied hummingbirds are very easily confused with woodnymphs. The green crowned woodnymph, in particular, has a similar color and shape and their ranges overlap. To tell them apart, you must check their size, color, and tail; violet-bellied hummingbirds are smaller, their backs are green instead of violet, and their tails are rounded, not notched. Green crowned woodnymphs also have a violet forecrown. Another similar species is the Sapphire-throated Hummingbird because of its colors. However, it has a blue throat, a green belly, and a notched tail.