Brown Violetear

The breeding habitat is forest at altitudes between 400-1600 m, but the Brown Violet-ear will spread widely into the lowlands when not nesting. It is replaced at higher altitudes by its relative, the Green Violetear , but their ranges overlap widely.

The Brown Violetear is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae) is a large hummingbird that breeds at middle elevations in the mountains in Central America, and western and northern South America (primarily the Andes and the Tepuis) with isolated populations on Trinidad and in the Brazilian state Bahia. The breeding habitat is forest at altitudes between 400-1600 m, but the Brown Violet-ear will spread widely into the lowlands when not nesting. It is replaced at higher altitudes by its relative, the Green Violetear (C. More

5-7 g weight Brown Violetear is unmistakable; it is mainly dull brown, with a rufous rump and greyer underparts. There is a violet patch running back and down from the eye, a hermit-like malar stripe, and a glittering green central throat. The bill is short and straight. The female is similar to the male, but has a smaller throat patch. Immature bird have rufous fringes to the upperpart plumage, and little or no violet behind the eyes. More

Brown Violetear Song with what sounds like the "flight song" of Sparkling Violetear C. corusc Colibri delphinae (0:10) Sebastian K. Herzog XC4729 28-09-1999, Bolivia Brown Violetear Song Colibri delphinae (0:44) Sebastian K. More

The Brown Violetear is typically found high in the canopy of the rainforest, tall second growth and coffee plantations, but it will feed at lower levels at edges and clearings. The nest is a small cup of plant down saddled on a twig 1-3 m. high in a bush, into which two white eggs are laid. The 11.5 cm long, 6.5-7 g weight Brown Violetear is unmistakable; it is mainly dull brown, with a rufous rump and greyer underparts. More

Brown VioletearBirds in Suriname = - Brown Violetear Photo of a Brown Violetear, made by John Mittermeier on the Tafeleberg in Suriname in 2008. This hummingbird is, in Suriname, only known from the Tafelberg, the only tepui mountain here. More