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*SALVIN’S [CANIVET’S] EMERALD  Cynanthus (Chlorostilbon) [canivetii]

salvini 7.5–8.5cm. Very small hummer of second growth, woodland and edge,

gardens, overgrown clearings, especially in drier areas. Mainly at low to mid-

levels; tail often fanned slightly while hovering. Distinctive in most of range,

but potential overlap with Garden Emerald unclear; birds with intermediate

characters have been reported from cen. Pacific slope. Male Salvin’s averages

longer, more deeply forked tail than Garden and has reddish bill tipped black.

Female from Garden by reddish base to mandible (can be difficult to see),

diffuse whitish median band on outer tail feathers. SOUNDS: Fairly quiet, gruff

dry cht, often doubled or run into short staccato chatters. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on n.

Pacific Slope, to 1500m in Central Valley; spills over locally to adjacent n. Caribbean slope; status on cen.

Pacific slope unclear cf. Garden Emerald. (Guatemala to Costa Rica.)

GARDEN EMERALD  Chlorostilbon [canivetii] assimilis 7–8cm. Replaces Salvin’s

Emerald on s. Pacific slope, and similar in habits and habitat, although

favoring more humid areas. Distinctive in most of range, but potential overlap

with Salvin’s Emerald unclear; birds with intermediate characters have been

reported from cen. Pacific slope. Note wholly black bill. Male Salvin’s averages

longer, more deeply forked tail and has reddish bill tipped black; female has

reddish base to mandible, whitish median band on outer tail feathers.

SOUNDS: Fairly quiet dry cht and dry staccato chatters, much like Salvin’s

Emerald. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on s. Pacific Slope, locally to

2000m; spills over locally to cen. Caribbean slope; status on cen. Pacific slope unclear cf. Salvin’s

Emerald. (Costa Rica to Panama.)

CROWNED WOODNYMPH  Thalurania colombica 10–11cm. Medium-size

hummer of humid forest, adjacent second growth. Feeds low to high, often in

shady understory, but regularly visits feeders in more open situations. Male

distinctive, stunning when colors catch the light, with glittering emerald and

purple plumage, forked blue-black tail. Female distinctive, with bicolored

underparts, small white corners to blue-black tail. Imm. male resembles female

but with emerald patches on breast, tail lacks pale corners. SOUNDS: Fairly hard,

ticking rattled chips, at times run into rapid chatters. STATUS: Fairly common

on both slopes, locally to 1400m. (Guatemala to nw. S America.)

BRONZE-TAILED (RED-FOOTED) PLUMELETEER  Chalybura urochrysia

11.5–12.5cm. Medium-large lowland hummer of humid second growth,

Heliconia thickets, forest edge, and shady understory. Mainly at low levels,

where often aggressive, chasing off other hummers and perching in shady

thickets where can be difficult to see well. Note bright pinkish-red feet, rather

long and overall dark tail. Male often looks dark overall; on female note pale

gray tail corners. SOUNDS: Loud, slightly squeaky to low rolled chips, at times

in short rattling or spluttering series; flight call a distinctive sharp pit pit.…Song

a varied short medley of nasal rattles and sharp chips. STATUS: Uncommon to

locally fairly common on Caribbean slope, to 900m. (Honduras to w. Ecuador.)