Species · GBIF taxon 11003172
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Leucolia violicepsAlso known as Violet-crowned Emerald
Violet-crowned Hummingbirds stand out with their immaculate, snow-white underparts, brilliant violet-blue caps, and bright red bills tipped in black. These striking birds frequent sycamore-lined canyons and desert riparian corridors, where they aggressively defend rich nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Females construct neat, cup-shaped nests out of plant down and spiderwebs, often high in the branches of Arizona sycamores.
Nectar-feederMigratoryColorful
Licensed referencePolinova / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower nectar
- Gnats
- Small spiders
Predators
- Hawks
- Kestrels
- Praying mantises
ThreatsHabitat loss in riparian corridors, climate change affecting bloom times, and pesticide use
HabitatsArid riparian woodlands, sycamore canyons, oak-pine forests, and suburban gardens
Life spanTypically 3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTrochilidae
- SpeciesLeucolia violiceps
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Feeder Placement: Hang nectar feeders filled with a clean four-to-one water-to-sugar ratio near shade trees.
- Planting Native: Grow tubular flowers like desert willow or salvias to attract them naturally.
- Quiet Observation: Watch quietly from a distance of several meters, as they can be highly territorial and easily startled.
Frequent Companion (c) Arturo Crespo Moctezuma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Competitor Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Nesting Tree
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