By: Nat. Eduardo Villegas
Selasphorus calliope
Did you know that hummingbirds are among the only birds that can fly backwards? This is possible thanks to the great flexibility of their joints and the incredible speed of their f lapping wings!
In this issue we present a small hummingbird, less than 8 cm and weighing 3 g: the Calliope Hummingbird. Males can be distinguished from other hummingbirds by their striated red throat, green back and white belly with greenish tones on the sides. Females are smaller and have short reddish tails, a finely spotted throat and a thin white line on the bill.
This species breeds in open areas of mountainous regions of Canada and the United States and Mexico. It is a semiendemic migrant from Mexico during the winter, when its populations move to lower latitudes. This season it is a common visitor to the Vallarta Botanical Garden in search of food.
So now you know, let yourself be amazed by the small size and majesty of these tiny birds while enjoying our beautiful plants and flowers.
