.webp)
Formerly known as the magnificent hummingbird, Rivoli’s hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) is a large species of hummingbird found in the mountainous forests of the Southwest down through Central America. Their radiant colors and flying prowess is a delight to watch. Read on for more amazing facts about this beautiful bird.
13 RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRD FACTS
1. THEY WERE NAMED AFTER THE DUKE OF RIVOLI
These gorgeous birds were named after the second Duke of Rivoli, an Italian nobleman who was an amateur ornithologist. In 1829, Rene-Primevere Lesson, a naturalist and surgeon gave the species their name to honor the Duke’s ornithological pursuits. Other names for these beautiful birds included “magnificent hummingbird” and “refulgent hummingbirds.”
2. THEY ARE THE SECOND LARGEST HUMMINGBIRDS NORTH OF MEXICO
Rivoli’s hummingbirds are among the largest hummingbird species found north of Mexico. Measuring up to 4.3-5.5 inches long, they are second only to the blue-throated hummingbird in size. Their wingspan is up to 7.1 inches, and they weigh between 6 and 10 grams.
3. RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRDS ARE NECTAR FEEDERS
The primary food source for Rivoli’s hummingbirds is nectar from flowers, particularly plants in the nightshade or lily families. They will be seen foraging for nectar in gardens, meadows, and woodlands. Their bills are slightly longer than some other hummingbird species, allowing them access to longer flowers.
Some of the Rivoli’s favorite flowers are agave, butterfly bush, Indian paintbrush, salvia, fuchsia, columbine and penstemon. However, they also visit hummingbird feeders, taking advantage of the easy-to-access food. Rivoli’s hummingbirds have been known to consume “honeydew” excreted by some species of scale insects and will also supplement their diet by feeding on small insects and spiders.
4. THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST HEART RATE OF ANY VERTEBRATE
The high metabolism of these tiny birds requires them to consume more than their own body weight in nectar each day. To do this, they will often fly from flower to flower rapidly and can visit up to 1000 flowers a day while searching for food.
Testament to this high metabolism is their record for the fastest heartbeat of any living vertebrae. Their tiny heart can beat from 420-1200 times per minute.
5. HUMMINGBIRD FLOWER MITES STOW AWAY IN THEIR NASAL CAVITIES
Rivoli’s hummingbirds have been found to host a unique species of flower mite in their nasal cavities. It is thought that these mites hitch a ride on the birds while they are foraging, allowing them to access different flowers than they would otherwise be able to reach. This stunning relationship between bird and mite is a remarkable example of nature’s adaptability.
6. THEY INHABIT THE MOUNTAINOUS FORESTS OF THE SOUTHWEST
These birds can be found in the mountainous regions of the Southwest, preferring oak, pine, and fir forests. They have been found at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 feet. However, they are attracted to areas where flowers are abundant, preferring forest edges, meadows, and clearings.
8. THERE IS NO COURTSHIP RITUAL
Unlike other species of hummingbird, male Rivoli’s hummingbirds do not perform elaborate courtship displays. Males abandon the female once copulation is complete, and the female is left alone to incubate the eggs and raise their young.
9. HATCHLINGS ARE HELPLESS AT BIRTH
Rivoli’s hummingbird hatchlings are born without feathers, and with closed eyes, so they are completely helpless at birth. The female feeds the young a mixture of nectar, insects, and other proteins to help them grow. After a few weeks, the young birds will leave the nest and take flight.
10. MALES HAVE IRIDESCENT PURPLE CROWNS
Rivoli’s hummingbirds are easily identified by their iridescent purple crowns on the males. The feathers of the crown and throat shimmer in shades of metallic blue, green, and violet when viewed from different angles. Male birds also have a bright blue-green gorget.
Females have a duller coat of greenish-brown coloration, with a pale throat and belly, and lack the purple head feathers. Both sexes have a white stripe behind the eyes. Juvenile birds resemble the females, but darker and with a browner hue. Their color shades get more defined as they reach maturity. Female birds are also slightly smaller than males.
11. THEY TRAPLINE BETWEEN FLOWERS
When foraging, Rivoli’s hummingbirds will create a “trapline” between flowering plants to maximize their food intake. This process involves traveling from one flower to the next in an organized and systematic way, allowing them to keep track of which flowers have been visited and when they should return. This way they don’t expend energy revisiting a flower too soon, that hasn’t had time to produce more nectar.
They are fast feeders, using their specialized long beaks and tongues to quickly access nectar from deep within the flowers. They may also hover over the flower while feeding, allowing them to reach nectar inaccessible by other birds.
Rivoli’s hummingbirds can also use their feet to perch on thin branches or wires for long periods of time, allowing them to scan for potential food sources.
12. RIVOLI’S HUMMINGBIRDS GO INTO TORPOR
Torpor, or a state of inactivity and deep sleep, is an adaptation used by Rivoli’s hummingbirds during cold nights. During this time, the birds lower their heart rate and body temperature to conserve energy. This process allows them to survive when food sources are scarce. It is important to note that during torpor, the bird might look dead to the untrained eye while it is still alive but in a state of dormancy.
13. THEY USED TO BE NAMED MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRDS
As can be the case with many birds, classification gets tricky and changes with time. Historically they were called magnificent hummingbirds, but enough regional differences were noted that they were viewed as having two sub species. In 2017 they were officially split into two distinct species, the Rivoli’s and Talamanca. Rivoli’s reach from the southwestern U.S. to Honduras and Nicaragua, while the Talamanca hummingbird is found in Costa Rica and Panama. There seems to still be debate today, as some texts still list Eugenes fulgens as one species, the magnificent hummingbird.
