Scintillant Hummingbird
The Scintillant Hummingbird is one of the world's smallest hummingbirds, endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, with males displaying a glittering orange-red gorget and rump that sparkles like fire in the sunlight, typically found visiting flowers in mountain forests, gardens, and páramo edges at elevations above 1,500 meters.
Selasphorus scintilla
Scientific Name
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Family
Apodiformes
Order
Range and Habitat of Scintillant Hummingbird
Geographic Range
The Scintillant Hummingbird is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and extreme western Panama (Chiriquí Province).
Migratory Patterns
The species shows seasonal altitudinal movements. It breeds at higher elevations from 2,000-3,000 m and descends to 1,400-2,000 m during the non-breeding season. Some individuals may remain at middle elevations year-round where food sources are reliable.
Preferred Habitat
The Scintillant Hummingbird inhabits páramo edges with flowering shrubs, stunted elfin forest, secondary growth and brushy areas, gardens and roadsides with appropriate flowers, coffee plantations during non-breeding season, and areas with abundant small flowers. It prefers semi-open habitats over dense forest.
Altitude Range
This species is found exclusively at high elevations. In Costa Rica, breeding occurs at 2,000-3,000 m, occasionally up to 3,400 m near treeline. During non-breeding season, it descends to 1,400-2,000 m, rarely as low as 1,200 m.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the species inhabits the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca. It occurs in the provinces of Alajuela (eastern highlands), San José (mountain areas), Cartago (throughout highlands), and western Limón (mountain slopes). Notable locations include Volcán Irazú National Park, Volcán Turrialba, Cerro de la Muerte, San Gerardo de Dota valley, Savegre region, Los Quetzales National Park, Villa Mills area, Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park, and Chirripó National Park lower elevations.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Costa Rica contains the majority of the global population. Density can reach 20-30 individuals per hectare in optimal breeding habitat.
The species faces habitat loss from conversion of páramo to agriculture or pasture.
Conservation efforts
The Scintillant Hummingbird is well-protected in Costa Rica's mountain national parks.
Primary Threats
The species faces habitat loss from conversion of páramo to agriculture or pasture.
Scintillant Hummingbird Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
The Scintillant Hummingbird is the smallest bird in Costa Rica and one of the smallest birds in the world. Males measure 6.5-7.5 cm in total length including the bill, while females measure 6.5-7 cm. Males weigh 2.0-2.5 g and females weigh 2.0-2.3 g, making them lighter than a penny.
Plumage
Adult males display bronzy-green upperparts with a glittering coppery-bronze crown. The gorget (throat patch) is brilliant orange-red to scarlet, appearing to glow in good light and looking black in poor light. The breast is white with a cinnamon-buff wash on the sides. The tail is rufous with black tips and shows distinctive white tips on outer feathers when spread. Adult females have bronzy-green upperparts and are white below with heavy cinnamon flanks and undertail coverts. They lack the colorful gorget, showing instead a white throat with tiny dark speckles.
Distinctive Features
The species has a short, straight, needle-like black bill measuring only 10-12 mm, among the shortest of any hummingbird.
Sexual Dimorphism
This species shows extreme sexual dimorphism. Males have the brilliant orange-red gorget and coppery crown, while females lack bright colors. Both sexes share the distinctive rufous and black tail pattern with white tips, though it's more pronounced in males.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Scintillant Hummingbird feeds primarily on nectar from small flowers, showing preference for various Salvia species, Fuchsia species, small composites (Asteraceae), Bomarea flowers, Rubus (blackberry) flowers, and various small herbs and shrubs. The diet is supplemented with tiny insects and spiders, particularly gnats, aphids, and fruit flies. Spider silk is consumed for protein and possibly for nest construction nutrients.
Foraging Techniques
- This hummingbird employs trap-lining behavior, visiting regular flower circuits throughout the day. Its tiny size allows it to exploit flowers too small for larger hummingbirds. The bird hawks tiny insects in flight with remarkable agility and gleans aphids and scale insects from leaves.
Feeding Times
- Peak feeding occurs early morning from 5:30-8:00 when nectar production is highest, and late afternoon from 15:00-17:30. The species must feed every 10-15 minutes during active periods due to extremely high metabolism. Feeding frequency increases during cold weather or breeding season.
Behavior Patterns
Scintillant Hummingbird
Social Structure
Males are highly territorial and aggressively defend flower patches despite their tiny size. Females are solitary except when nesting. During non-breeding season, loose aggregations may form at productive flower sources.
Song and Vocalization
Males produce a high-pitched, thin song consisting of rapid chips and squeaks “tsip-tsip-tsee-tsee-tsee” from exposed perches. The call is an extremely high-pitched “tsi” or “chip,” often beyond human hearing range. During displays, males create mechanical sounds with modified tail feathers producing a distinctive cricket-like trill.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Males perform spectacular dive displays, climbing 10-15 meters then diving past females while producing mechanical sounds with tail feathers. Shuttle displays involve flying back and forth in front of females in perfect arcs. Males establish small display territories at forest edges or clearings. The gorget display involves hovering in front of females with gorget fully expanded and glittering.
Territoriality
Despite being Costa Rica’s smallest bird, males fearlessly defend territories of 100-400 m² around productive flower patches. They use strategic perches to survey territory and pursue all intruders regardless of size.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Scintillant Hummingbird
Prime locations include
- Cerro de la Muerte along Route 2 (KM 85-95) roadside flowers
- Savegre Mountain Lodge gardens and trails
- Paraíso Quetzal Lodge feeders and gardens
- Villa Mills settlement area
- San Gerardo de Dota upper valley
- Irazú Volcano National Park páramo areas
- Los Quetzales National Park high elevation trails
- La Georgina Restaurant area (Route 2)
- Chirripó National Park lower boundaries
Best Time of the Year
Best viewing occurs from November to February during peak breeding season. Early morning from 6:00-9:00 offers highest activity levels when males are displaying.
Common Behavior
Look for tiny hummingbirds at small roadside flowers, particularly salvias and fuchsias. Males perch prominently on exposed twigs when territorial. Listen for extremely high-pitched chips and mechanical sounds during displays. Check low flowers that larger hummingbirds ignore.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars with close focus capability for these tiny birds, a camera with good autofocus as they move quickly.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs primarily during the late wet season and dry season. In Costa Rica, nesting spans from October to March, with peak activity November-January when highland flowers are most abundant.
Nesting Sites
The female builds a tiny cup nest measuring only 2-3 cm in external diameter and 1.5-2 cm internally, making it one of the smallest bird nests in the world. Construction materials include plant down, moss, spider silk, and lichens, with the exterior decorated with lichens and moss for camouflage. Nests are typically placed 1-3 meters high on thin twigs, often in scrubby vegetation or stunted trees.
Clutch Size
Females lay 2 tiny white eggs measuring approximately 8 x 5 mm, among the smallest bird eggs in the world.
Incubation Period
14-16 days
Parental Care
The female alone builds the nest, incubates, and raises young with no male assistance. Chicks are fed regurgitated nectar and tiny insects every 20-30 minutes. Fledging occurs at 18-22 days. Post-fledging care continues for 7-10 days as young learn to forage.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Males can beat their wings up to 100 times per second during courtship displays. The species enters torpor on cold nights, reducing body temperature from 41°C to as low as 16°C to conserve energy.
Cultural Significance
The Spanish name “chispita” (little spark) perfectly describes the glittering appearance. The species is featured on Costa Rican postage stamps celebrating endemic biodiversity. Indigenous peoples considered seeing this tiny bird good luck.
Surprising Traits
The Scintillant Hummingbird’s heart can beat over 1,260 times per minute during flight. It must consume half its body weight in nectar daily just to survive.
How do I identify this bird?
Look for Costa Rica’s tiniest bird – smaller than any other hummingbird. Males show a brilliant orange-red gorget and rufous tail with white tips. Females lack the gorget but share the distinctive rufous and black tail pattern with white tips. The extremely small size alone often confirms identification.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
The Cerro de la Muerte area along Route 2, particularly around KM 85-95, offers excellent roadside viewing. Paraíso Quetzal Lodge and Savegre Mountain Lodge feeders provide reliable sightings. Any high elevation area above 2,000 m with flowering shrubs is worth checking during breeding season.
Is it endangered?
No, it’s listed as Least Concern with stable populations in protected highland areas. However, as an endemic species with a restricted high-elevation range, it could be vulnerable to climate change impacts. The species adapts well to gardens and disturbed areas as long as appropriate flowers are available.