Sparkling violetear

Appearance

The sparkling violetear is the largest violetear at 13 to 15 cm long. Male birds weigh 7.7 to 8.5 grams while females weigh from ounces 6.7 to 7.5 grams. This hummingbird resembles the green violetear, but that species generally prefers more humid habitats, is obviously smaller and lacks the distinct purple-blue chest-spot and chin of the sparkling violetear. According to it has the smallest mean blood-air barrier thickness and the highest mass-specific respiratory surface area in birds.

Behavior

Sparkling violetears are solitary and aggressive. Birds declare their territory by singing. The birds sing much of the day, and sub-groups develop their own calls. Breeding seasons vary by region.

Reproduction

Birds in Venezuela mate from July through October. Birds find mates at leks, areas where groups of males try to attract a female to mate. After mating, the male was once believed to leave all nesting responsibilities to the female.

However, according to reports, male sparkling violet-ears were seen twice caring for their young. The mother lays two eggs in a tiny, cup-shaped nest made of twigs and other plant material. Eggs hatch in 17 to 18 days. The young fledge in three weeks.