Hummingbirds and Other Animals

The word "hummingbird" is used to designate the full spectrum of genera and species belonging to the trochilidae family. This family is divided into two sub-families, the phaethornithinae, composed mainly of hermits, and the trochilinae in which we find the more common hummingbirds. Currently, nearly 330 species of hummingbirds grouped into 102 genera have been counted.*

In scientific literature, the term "hummingbird" sometimes refers to the Hummingbird genus, a subdivision of the trochilinae sub-family. In reality, only a few hummingbirds, such as the Colibri thalassinus (Green Violet-ear), belong to this genus.

See the table on the trochilidae family.

Hummingbirds are tiny birds, their length varying from 5 to 53 cm. They are characterized by the very rapid beating of their wings. Many of them have a brightly coloured throat or crown and iridescent plumage. Their beaks are always fine, but their length and curve vary according to the species.

The names of many of the 330 known species of hummingbird allude to the colour of the plumage and often refer to precious stones. Just seeing or hearing their names creates beautiful images in our minds; we can picture the Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby, Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-gem,

A number of hummingbirds do not have the word "hummingbird" in their name. The names of some of them end with Lancebill, Sabrewing, Mango, Coquette, Emerald, Brilliant, Puffleg, Sunangel, Streamertail, Hillstar and even Woodnymph!

Whoever chose the French names of some of the hummingbird species had women in mind. Female names are included in the: Colibri Anaïs, Dryade de Fanny, Colibri Julie, Émeraude Alice, Colibri Paméla, Érionne Catherine, Méthallure de Thérèse, Colibri Corinne, Colibri d'Angèle, Colibri Élise, Colibri Héloïse, and Ariane de Félicie. In English, only the Anna's Hummingbird has this trait.
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