Chilean name: Picaflor gigante
November 2005
The Giant Hummingbird breeds in central Chile and in Peru and Ecuador. During the austral winter, the Chilean population migrates to north-western Argentina.
| Previous Page | Back to Index | Next Page |
| Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas Chilean name: Picaflor gigante |
||||
|
Cajon del Maipo, Chile November 2005 The Giant Hummingbird breeds in central Chile and in Peru and Ecuador. During the austral winter, the Chilean population migrates to north-western Argentina. |
|||
|
In more northerly latitudes it is normally found at high altitudes above 2,000 metres but can be found down to sea level in Chile. It favours sparsely vegetated hillsides with suitable sources of nectar - usually agave-type plants. Photo 3 shows a plant on which a Giant Hummingbird is feeding. You might just make it out on the top right of the plant. Because they are so relatively large, Giant Hummingbirds tend to feed while perched rather than when hovering. | |||
|
Its size makes it unmistakable. Upperparts are dark green with a white rump. Underparts are brownish on the male and greyish on the female. | |||
|