Shining-Green Hummingbird

The Shining-Green Hummingbird (Chrysuronia goudoti) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest. This species was formerly placed in the genus Lepidopyga. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that Lepidopyga was polyphyletic. In the revised classification to create monophyletic genera, the shining-green hummingbird was moved to Chrysuronia.

This hummingbird lives up to its name since it is fully sparkling green with blue accents on the crest and belly. The tail has a noticeable notch and is quite lengthy. The majority of the lower mandible has a dull reddish color, and the bill is somewhat decurved. Males have less speckled undersides than females do. They primarily consume nectar from a range of small, fragrant flowers on trees, plants, shrubs, and epiphytes that are brilliantly colorful and fragrant. They seek out and vigorously defend those regions that contain flowers with high-energy nectar. They choose blossoms with the highest sugar content, which are frequently red and tubular in appearance. They hover with their tails cocked forward, licking at the nectar up to 13 times per second, using their long, extendible, straw-like tongues to retrieve it. Sometimes, they may be seen feeding while hanging on the blossom.