Speckled Hummingbird

The speckled hummingbird is a monomorphic species, making females and males indistinguishable. Adults measure approximately 8 cm, or 3 inches, in length (from bill to tip of tail). The upper plumage is a glossy green/bronze. The underside is pale, with green and bronze specks. It has a black cheek patch below its eye with a white stripe above.

The speckled hummingbird is a solitary species. They neither live nor migrate in flocks and there is no pair bond for this species, making them a mainly sedentary species. Nevertheless, individuals may disperse to lower altitudes as the breeding periods finish.

Breeding. Males do not participate in any part of nest building or brooding of the young, and disengage with female partners after copulation. Though, both males and females may be promiscuous, having multiple partners. Female speckled hummingbirds incubate and feed nestlings. A clutch consists of two white eggs; measurements consist of 12.4 mm × 8.7 mm and 12.6 mm × 8.6 mm. The incubation period lasts approximately 17–20 days. The species broods for shorter durations than most hummingbirds during incubation. Speckled hummingbirds often travel several kilometers to avoid competition, making visits to the nest less frequent. After the young hatch, the adult continues brooding hatchlings for 7–8 days. After brooding and until the young have fledged, the adult will no longer enter the nest and instead perch nearby, potentially watching for predators. This behavior is curious, as perching outside a nest may alert predators of its location. Nests can be found all year round, and consist of a bulky cup shaped of moss and cobweb, lined with plant fibre. …