Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus)

OTHER NAMES: Mountain Violetear
Latin Etymology: Colibri (Caribbean indiginous word for shining) cyanotus (Blue eared)

Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Colibri cyanotus cabanidis
Weight: 4.8-5.6g  /  Length: 10-12cm  /  Wingspan: 12cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A fairly recent split from the Mexican Violetear with which it previous shared the name "Green Violetear". A resident of higher elevations such as cloud forest where it's range is patchily spread down the Northern half of the Andres in addition to the disjunct population in Costa Rica and Panama.  It has the accolade of being the fastest recorded hummingbird, having been clocked at 140km/hr during a chase.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Colibri
SUBSPECIES: C. c. cabanidis, C. c. crissalis, C. c. cyanotus, C. c. kerdeli
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Colibrí Oreja Violeta Menor

A fairly common species at higher altitudes.

- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto