Who has not been enchanted by photos or sightings of these iridescent mini-rockets of energy known as hummingbirds? They were described by the Aztec as tiny suns, and have been accorded their place in legend, story and song throughout the centuries. People have called them flying jewels; most male hummingbirds possess iridescent gorgets, or throat feathers, whose colors shift depending on the sunlight shining on them. Additionally, many species also have exotic crowns, distinctive tails, and sparkling iridescent wings.

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, ranging in size from the Bee Hummingbird, at 5.7 cm, to the Giant Hummingbird, at 21.6 cm. Hummingbirds are most skilled fliers of all avian species. They can fly backward, hover, fly straight up, and quickly change direction. They have a very high metabolism and must feed almost constantly in order to survive. Their hearts beat over 1200 times per minute.

Hummingbirds are pollinators. They drink nectar from flowers with their long tongues, and some catch insects as well, snatching them midair as they fly. Many have bills that are perfectly adapted to particular species of flowers, so that the plant and the hummingbird have an interdependent relationship that is mutually beneficial to both species.

There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in the world. They are native to the Americas, with most species found in South America. Peru has over 118 species of hummingbirds, or colibris, which translates as “Birds of the Sun God." In Quechua they are known as Q'inti (pronounced Keen-tee). According to one Quechua legend, when all the Earth was suffering from lack of water, and the People, animals and plants were all dying, a tiny hummingbird arose from the last flor de Cantu, (Peru’s state flower, Fuchsia Buxifolia, a favorite of hummingbirds) and implored the God Waitapallana to save the land and its creatures. Even though he died in the process, the hummingbird accomplished his mission, as two great crystal teardrops fell from Waitapallana’s eyes when he saw the devastation on Earth. These tears awoke the serpent, Amaru, who was dreaming at the bottom of a lake, and who, upon shaking his great wings, brought rain back to the Earth.

Some hummingbird species found in Peru are: the Sparkling Violet Ear, Giant Hummingbird, Green-tailed trainbearer, Booted Racket-tail, Long-tailed Sylph and White-bellied Woodstar, and the Marvelous Spatuletail.

The Sparkling Violet-Ear (Colibri Coruscans) is a fairly common and widespread hummingbird of the Andes. It is probably the most common hummingbird in the Cusco Valley and around Machu Picchu. It has iridescent green and blue markings with some purple around the head, hence the name. They have ear tufts that stand out when the bird is excited. These birds are not strongly sexually dimorphic; the females resemble the males in coloring, thought they are somewhat smaller in size. They are about 5.1 to 5.5 inches in length, including the tail (around 2.2 inches) and have a slightly down curved bill. These birds are fiercely territorial, like many hummingbirds, and I have seen them chase off Giant Hummers more than twice their size! They feed on insects, which they catch midair, as well as numerous flower species; they readily adapt to gardens and feeders.

The Giant Hummingbird (Patagona Gigas) is the world's largest hummingbird and widely distributed throughout South America. It measures approximately 8.5 inches in length and is not as acrobatic as some of the smaller hummingbird species. Its wings beat only 10-15 times per second compared to as many as 80 that were recorded in a tiny Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox Amethystina) It also lacks the jewel-like iridescence of many other species, which is why the Quechua sometimes dub it “burro q’enti,” in reference to its relatively dull appearance. It nests in high altitudes and readily takes to feeders and gardens.

The Green-tailed Trainbearer, (Lesbia Nuna), a dainty, fairylike creature with a relatively noiseless flight compared to other species I have observed, has a tiny iridescent green body and an extremely long tail, comparatively speaking. It’s approximately 4 inches long; of that, its tail makes up an estimated two-thirds of the total length. It doesn't frequent feeders, but darts quietly from flower to flower, and has a short (comparatively speaking) straight bill. I always feel privileged to spot it, as it’s relatively shyer than the Sparkling and the Giant; it’s an enchanting creature.

The Marvelous Spatuletail, (Colibri Admirable) has been garnering much attention from the press lately. It is an extremely endangered species, due to habitat loss. It is found only in the northern part of Peru, near the regions once inhabited by the ancient Chachapoyas around Kuelap. It has only four tail feathers, two of which swoop out to the sides and end in a round spoon-like shape. The locals have dubbed it, the “bird followed by the butterfly,” since its unusual tail resembles a butterfly always pursuing it. This incredible creature has a spectacular and unusual mating display in which the males whirl their tales about to attract females.

Two associations working to protect the Marvelous Spatuletail are the American Bird Conservancy and the Peruvian Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos. Supporting these organizations can make a difference to the survival of this wonderful and rare species.

For information about how to help hummingbirds in general, you may also contact The Hummingbird Society, at 1(800) 529-3699 (US)

In addition to being a haven for hummingbirds, Peru is the second most diverse country on Earth for bird species in general, with 1,710 species at last count, and more still continuing to be discovered.

Kuoda Tours brings birding enthusiasts to habitats in the jungle, forests and mountains, where they can enjoy the incredible diversity of bird life in Peru.