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CHARMING (BERYL-CROWNED) HUMMINGBIRD  Amazilia decora 8.5–

9cm. Fairly small hummer of open forest and edge, taller second growth,

adjacent gardens. Pacific-slope counterpart to Blue-chested Hummingbird (no

range overlap). Feeds low to high, often at verbena bushes; flight typically quick

and rather darting. Singing males form loose groups, perching at low to mid-

levels along edges. From Blue-chested by range, also dorsal tail color (more

bronzy green, less purplish than Blue-chested), more extensively glittering

crown of male (extending to nape, unlike Blue-chested), brighter green crown

of female. Cf. Blue-throated Goldentail, which has bright red bill, green-gold

tail. SOUNDS: Call from perch a high sharp chik, at times repeated steadily; hard rolled tik in flight, often

run into short rattles. Song a high, slightly tinny and squeaky rhythmic chant, 1–6 secs. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common on s. Pacific slope, to 1200m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

BLUE-CHESTED (LOVELY) HUMMINGBIRD  Amazilia amabilis 8.5–9cm.

Fairly small lowland hummer of open forest and edge, taller second growth,

adjacent gardens. Caribbean-slope counterpart to Charming Hummingbird (no

range overlap) and habits similar. Often looks rather dull and uninteresting,

purplish-blue chest rarely catching the light. From Charming by range, also note

coppery uppertail coverts (beware, worn tail can look dark overall). Cf. Blue-

throated Goldentail, which has bright red bill, green-gold tail. SOUNDS: Call

from perch a high sharp tsik, at times in short series; hard rolled tik in flight,

often doubled in short rattles. Song a high, slightly lisping, squeaky rhythmic

chant, 1–2 secs, slower-paced, less tinny, often simpler than Charming Hummingbird. STATUS: Uncommon

to fairly common on Caribbean slope, locally to 700m. (Honduras to w. Ecuador.)

SAPPHIRE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD  Lepidopyga coeruleogularis 8.5–

9.5cm. Fairly small hummer of open and semi-open lowland areas with

hedgerows, forest patches and edge, second growth. Feeds low to high, often at

mid–upper levels in canopy. No similar species in range and habitat: note long

forked tail; male often looks dark overall, but violet-blue gorget striking in good

light; female best told by strongly forked tail with white tips, plain head sides.

SOUNDS: Fairly high slow trill, repeated in pulses from perch; in flight a low

rasping tzk, at times run into short rattles; chase call a high rattling twitter.

STATUS: Scarce, but expanding with deforestation, on s. Pacific slope, to 200m;

first recorded Costa Rica in late 2000s. (Costa Rica to n. Colombia.)

MANGROVE HUMMINGBIRD  Amazilia boucardi 9–10cm. Medium-size

hummer of Pacific coast mangroves, ranging to adjacent woodland and second

growth. Only white-bellied hummer likely in its specialized habitat, but cf.

female of migrant Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which is smaller, with dif­

ferent face and neck pattern, lacks red on bill. Male has green gorget, notched

dark tail; female has clean white throat and underparts. SOUNDS: Low rasping

or crackling zzirt in flight; series of fairly hard sharp, downslurred chips from

perch; rapid, slightly squeaky twitters when agitated. STATUS: Fairly common

locally in mangroves along Pacific coast. (Endemic to Costa Rica.)

SNOWY-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD  Amazilia edward 8.5–9.5cm. Distinc­

tive medium-size hummer of foothill second growth, brushy savanna, scrubby

woodland, hedgerows. Feeds low to high; males sing alone from inconspicuous

perches. Note sharp contrast between green breast and snowy-white belly; from

above note coppery back and rump, blue-black tail (no range overlap with

Blue-vented Hummingbird). Sexes similar. SOUNDS: Downslurred, rather burry

or gravelly zrrih and sharper zrip when feeding; downslurred chipping chatter

when agitated. Song a short, plaintive, slightly squeaky bieh-ti-bieh and

variations, repeated. STATUS: Uncommon to locally fairly common on s. Pacific

slope, mainly 300–1800m. (Costa Rica to Panama.)