Introduction
The Purple-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis calolaemus) is a resident hummingbird of the humid uplands of southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama. It is a member of the Trochilidae family and is especially associated with montane evergreen forest, cloud forest and flower-rich forest edges.
Physical Description
The Purple-throated Mountaingem is a medium-sized hummingbird, measuring approximately 10–11.5 centimetres in length. Both sexes have a straight, black bill, a fairly long tail and a pale stripe behind the eye.
Adult males are distinguished by their iridescent purple throat, which can appear violet, magenta or dark blue according to the light and viewing angle. The crown and upperparts are green to blue-green, while the underparts are generally warm cinnamon or rufous. Females lack the brilliant throat patch and are predominantly green above, with less strongly coloured underparts and a more subdued facial pattern.
Juveniles resemble females. Young males gradually develop the adult throat feathers as they mature. Regional plumage differences occur across the species’ range, and several subspecies have been recognised by major taxonomic authorities.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs from the highlands of southern Nicaragua through Costa Rica to western Panama. It is resident rather than a long-distance migrant, although individuals may move to lower elevations after breeding or in response to local food availability.
It favours humid montane evergreen forest, cloud forest, steep wooded slopes, forest edges, clearings and mature second-growth vegetation. Most records are from approximately 800–2,500 metres above sea level, although it may occasionally descend to around 300 metres outside the main breeding period.
The Purple-throated Mountaingem often uses the middle and upper levels of forest but also visits flowering shrubs, gardens and feeding stations near forest. Its distribution is uneven, with local abundance depending on suitable habitat and the availability of flowers.
Where to See This Species
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
The Monteverde area supports humid montane forest within the species’ Costa Rican range, and Purple-throated Mountaingems are regularly recorded around forest edges, flowering vegetation and hummingbird-viewing areas. Early morning is a productive time to search, although birds may remain active throughout the day where flowers are abundant.
Nearby accommodation: Monteverde and Santa Elena provide hotels, guest houses, lodges, cabins and self-catering accommodation.
Poás Volcano National Park, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Purple-throated Mountaingems have been recorded in the highland forest around Poás. Visitors should look along wooded trails and forest edges, particularly where native flowering plants attract hummingbirds. Weather can be cool, wet and misty, so sheltered areas may offer the best viewing conditions.
Nearby accommodation: The towns and rural communities around Poás and Grecia offer hotels, guest houses, lodges and farm-based accommodation.
Mount Totumas Cloud Forest, Chiriquí, Panama
Mount Totumas is a cloud-forest wildlife-viewing site in western Panama where Purple-throated Mountaingem has been documented. The surrounding high-elevation forest, gardens and flowering plants provide suitable habitat, and the species may be seen visiting flowers or defending feeding areas.
Nearby accommodation: The Boquete area is the main gateway and offers hotels, guest houses, lodges, cabins and other visitor accommodation.
Behaviour and Diet
Purple-throated Mountaingems are active during daylight hours and are usually encountered alone. Males can be highly territorial, defending flower-rich feeding areas from other hummingbirds and sometimes from larger species. They often perch quietly between feeding visits before making rapid flights to flowers or intruders.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet. The birds visit a variety of flowering trees, shrubs, vines and epiphytes, and their movements between flowers can transfer pollen. Small insects and spiders are also taken, especially when birds need additional protein. They may capture prey from foliage or in short aerial sallies.
Courtship includes vocal activity and flight displays, although details can vary between local populations. The female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and feeds the young without assistance from the male. The nest is a compact, open cup made from plant fibres and other soft materials, often decorated externally with moss or lichen and placed low in the understorey. A typical clutch contains two white eggs, incubated for approximately 17–18 days.
Identification Tips
- Look for a medium-sized, fairly long-tailed hummingbird with a straight black bill and a pale stripe behind the eye.
- An adult male has a conspicuous purple, violet or magenta throat that may look dark when not reflecting light.
- The green upperparts contrast with warm cinnamon or rufous underparts, especially in good light.
- Females are plainer than males and can be recognised by their green back, subdued throat and pale facial stripe.
- The species is generally larger and more robust-looking than many small forest hummingbirds, but size is difficult to judge without a nearby comparison.
- The iridescent throat should be checked carefully because its colour changes with the angle of light. A dull-looking throat does not necessarily indicate a female.
Conservation Status
The Purple-throated Mountaingem is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It remains locally common in suitable habitat, but its population is considered to be decreasing. Habitat loss and degradation caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, development and changes to montane forest conditions are continuing concerns.
Protection of cloud forest and other montane evergreen habitats is the principal conservation measure. Maintaining connected forest, conserving native flowering plants and managing protected areas effectively can help preserve feeding and breeding habitat. Climate change may also alter the distribution of suitable high-elevation forest and the timing or availability of important food plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Purple-throated Mountaingem live?
It occurs in the mountains of southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama, mainly in humid montane evergreen forest, cloud forest and forest edges.
Is the Purple-throated Mountaingem migratory?
No. It is generally considered a resident species, although local movements to lower elevations may occur after breeding or when food availability changes.
How can the male be identified?
The adult male has an iridescent purple throat, green to blue-green upperparts, warm cinnamon underparts and a pale stripe behind the eye.
What does the Purple-throated Mountaingem eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar from a range of forest flowers. It also takes small insects and spiders for protein.
Where is the best place to see this hummingbird?
Mountain forests and cloud-forest reserves in Costa Rica and western Panama are the most reliable areas to search. Monteverde, Poás and Mount Totumas are documented viewing locations.
Does the Purple-throated Mountaingem build its own nest?
The female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and raises the young. The male does not take part in nest construction or parental care.
References
- BirdLife International
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- IOC World Bird List
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