- Amazilia beryllina
Saucerottia beryllina
Identification
Male: Emerald green all over, purple rump, some purple wing and tail feathers, bright green gorget, black bill; lower mandible has red base, undertail coverts cinnamon-brown.
Female: Similar to the male, but duller with pale grey belly andundertail coverts.
Distribution
Southeast Arizona, and in New Mexico. Winters in Mexico.
Taxonomy
There are 5 subspecies.
Habitat
Foothills and highlands, oak and pine woodlands and edges, oak scrub and clearings, plantations.
Behaviour
It builds a nest of plant fibres and spider webs, covered with lichens, in a tree or shrub. 2 white eggs are laid and incubated by the female for about 14 days.
The diet includes nectar and insects.
Vocalisation
A series of hoarse, high twitters sirr, kirr-I-rr, kirr-I-rr; also a buzzing drrzzzzt.
