Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy coruscus)

23 January 2009, Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica Another somewhat uncommon hummingbird that would not sit still or pose for a photo. The long bill is adapted for the nectar of long tubular flowers such as Heliconia. This is a male and they take two years before achieving their full plumage. Like the Band-tailed Barbthroat, this species forms leks with males singing and chasing each other hoping to attract females. This is the northernmost race P. g. coruscus, which is more colorful on the underparts than populations in South America. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)