Giant Hummingbird

Appearance

In Bolivia, the giant hummingbird is known in Quechua as burro q'enti. The Spanish word burro refers to its dull, relatively unattractive plumage compared to other locally occurring hummingbirds (e.g., red-tailed comet). Typically members of P. gigas can be identified using their comparative size and characteristics such as the presence of an eye-ring, straight bill (longer than the head), dull colouration, very long wings (approaching tail tip when stowed), long and moderately forked tail, feathered tarsi to the toes and comparatively large sturdy feet. There is no difference between the sexes. Juvenile specimens can be determined by observing small corrugations on the lateral areas of the beak culmen.

The sub-species are visually distinguishable. P. g. peruviana has an overall yellowish brown appearance as well as the presence of a white on the chin and throat, where P. g. gigas has more of a olive green/brown colouration and absence of white on the chin and throat.

Distribution

The Giant Hummingbird is widely distributed throughout the length of the Andes on both the east and west sides.

Behavior

Hummingbirds are extremely agile and acrobatic flyers, regularly partaking in sustained hovering flight, often used not only to feed on the wing but to protect their territory and perform courting rituals. P. gigas is typical in that it will brazenly defend its precious energy-rich flower territory from other species and other giant hummingbirds. These birds are typically seen alone, in pairs or small family groups.

Food

P. gigas is obligate nectarvorious and feeds from a range of flowers. The female Giant Hummingbird has been observed ingesting sources of high amounts of calcium (sand, soil, slaked lime and wood ash) post reproductive season to replenish the calcium used in egg production.