Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Buff-bellied Hummingbird; Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Texas; June.

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Buff-bellied Hummingbird, female; Texas; February

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Buff-bellied Hummingbird breeds near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from south Texas to Mexico. It is probably the least-studied hummingbird that regularly occurs in the United States.

Description

Small hummingbird. Green upperparts. Red bill with dark tip. Rufous tail. Cinnamon-buff belly.

• Size: 10-11 cm (4-4 in)
• Wingspan: 14 cm (6 in)
• Weight: 2-4 g (0.07-0.14 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but female has darker upper portion of bill and less iridescent green throat.

Sound

In aggressive interactions with other Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, gives a rapid series of low notes. Displaying birds make a two-syllable call.

Conservation Status

Land development may reduce breeding habitat for the Buff-bellied Hummingbird in Texas and Mexico; actual effects have not been documented.

Other Names

Ariane du Yucatan (French)
Colibri yucateco (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Buff-bellied Hummingbird evidently regularly disperses to the northeast from its breeding areas in south Texas. This northerly movement is unique among North American hummingbirds.

Sources used to construct this page:

Chavez-Ramirez, F., and A. Moreno-Valdez. 1999. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 388 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.