White-vented Violet-ear - Colibri serrirostris

White-vented Violet-ear (Colibri serrirostris)
(aka Singing Hummingbird)

Brazil

The White-vented Violet-ear is a common hummingbird in its range and habitat. Its range is from Central Brazil and Bahia to northern Argentina, central Paraguay and Bolivia. Its habitat is semi-open scrub and savanna.

It has a long, slightly decurved bill with a violet-blue region behind the eye which often looks like a collar. Underparts are yellow-green with a blue shimmer while the undertail coverts or vent is white.

The White-vented Violetear is territorial and aggressively defends the flowers on which it feeds. Its alternative name of "Singing Hummingbird" comes from the fact that it sings all day when perched.

Its scientific name derives from the Spanish for hummingbird - "Colibri" and "serri" meaning saw with "rostris" meaning bill alluding to the fact that its upper mandible has minute serrations on it.

There are illustrations in HBW, Volume 5, Page 556; and Sick, Plate 21

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