Saucerottia saucerottei Steely-vented Hummingbird

The Steely-vented Hummingbird (Saucerottia saucerottei) is an energetic and common resident of Andean valleys and urban havens like the Medellín Botanical Garden. It is identified by its sparkling emerald-green body, a copper-toned rump, and a deep, metallic steel-blue tail. Weighing roughly 4.5 grams—about the weight of two pennies—and sporting a straight bill with a pinkish base, this tiny bird is a crucial pollinator for native flowers like guayacans and heliconias. Despite its small size, it is remarkably territorial, aggressively defending its preferred nectar sources from other birds and insects.