Giant hummingbird
| Giant hummingbird | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Patagona gigas in Chile | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Genus: |
Patagona G.R. Gray, 1840 |
| Species: | P. gigas |
| Binomial name | |
|
Patagona gigas (Vieillot, 1824) |
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The giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest member of the hummingbird family, weighing 18–24 g (0.63–0.85 oz) with a wingspan measuring approximately 21.5 cm (8.5 in) in length, and length of 23 cm (9.1 in). This is approximately the same length as a European starling or a northern cardinal, though the giant hummingbird is considerably lighter due to its more slender build and fairly long bill. It is the only member of the genus Patagona. This weight is almost twice that of the next heaviest recorded species, and ten times that of the smallest humming bird, the bee hummingbird.
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 an olive green/brown colouration and absence of white on the chin and throat.
The giant hummingbird is distinct from other hummingbirds in flight with occasional gliding flight observed, very rare in Trochilids. Literature leads to the belief this flight is strongly correlated to the elongated wings of the giant hummingbird, allowing more efficient glides than other Trochilids. The giant hummingbird’s voice is a singular loud, sharp and whistling “chip”.
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Wikipedia