#Aglaeactis cupripennis

[birdblues]

Shining Sunbeam

[rondaincorporated]

Hummingbird Species, Part 170

Our little flyer today is the shining sunbeam, Aglaeactis cupripennis. Introduction The natural world is a treasure trove of awe-inspiring creatures, each possessing unique qualities that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of biodiversity. Among these remarkable beings, the Shining Sunbeam Hummingbird (Aglaeactis cupripennis) stands out as a true marvel of avian evolution. This charismatic bird…

[herpsandbirds]

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis c. cupripennis), PUFFIN IT OUT!, family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Cuzco, Peru

photograph by JJ Pamplona

[autistrix]

[https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37450923]

Shining Sunbeam || Aglaeactis cupripennis

Observed in Colombia

Least Concern in location of observation

[tropic-havens]

Shining sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) in Colombia

[wingedjewels]

Shining Sunbeam by Jay Packer Via Flickr: This large cinnamon-colored hummingbird of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru is common in high elevation Andean cloud forests from about 8,000 to 14,000 feet. Unlike most hummingbirds, the color is on the back, presenting a unique challenge for photographers to capture a pose that shows the color but also the head. Hacienda El Bosque, Colombia

[shiny-and-sparkling-birds]

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)

© judylynn malloch

[perfect-plumage]

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)

© judylynn malloch

[squawkoverflow]

A new variant has been added!

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) © Christoph Moning

It hatches from arid, brown, dark, happy, high, iridescent, large, lilac, other, and short eggs.

squawkoverflow - the ultimate bird collecting game          🥚 hatch    ❤️ collect     🤝 connect

[bigbirdpoof]

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)

© Jory Teltser

[elferandrade]

Shining Sunbeam por Fernando Andrade Sánchez Por Flickr: Aglaeactis cupripennis Colibrí paramuno Bogotá - Colombia

[ispida]

Op is so extremely right but I need you guys how these actually look bc everything will make sense as soon as you see em

All images sourced from the Macaulay library.

Flame-Throated Sunangel (Heliangelus micraste)

Sparkling-Tailed Woodstar (Tilmatura dupontii)

Purple Crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti)

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)

Sapphire Spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea)

(Continues on next two posts)

you learn about a hummingbird species named “flame-throated sunangel” or “sparkling-tailed woodstar” or “purple-crowned fairy” or “shining sunbeam” or “sapphire-spangled emerald” or “amethyst-throated sungem” (these are all real hummingbirds). and you think “all the superlative descriptions of hummingbirds must be exaggerations”. then you learn that this hummingbird has like magnificent luminous aquamarine or sparkling-gold or iridescent flaming-orange feathers on its back, or glittering throat patches with mesmerizing color transitions from deep purple to vibrant pink. and maybe its maximum size is smaller than a bumblebee, with an adult weight of 0.09 ounces (this is a real hummingbird). maybe it hovers in-place in mid-air and can beat its wings at 200 beats per second (this is a real hummingbird). maybe multiple flower species have essential mutualistic relationships with the birds. maybe there is an entire lineage of so-called “flower mites”, tiny arachnids that use hummingbirds to travel between plants and can only feed on specific flower nectar pollinated by hummingbirds (this is real). or maybe the species lives only very high on the slopes of a single mountain where its beak is specially customized to feed on the nectar of a single flower species (real). and maybe there are two dozen or more species of hummingbirds which only live in small isolated pockets of high-elevation fog-shrouded cloud forests in very specific humid microhabitats in the misty and forested peaks of the tropical Andes or Mesoamerica. where every mountain range’s special combination of mist and fog and flowers and nectar creates a home for a unique bird. maybe they love sugar, just like me. and you’re like “this can’t be real”.

[herpsandbirds]

Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis c. cupripennis), family Trochilidae, order Apodiformes, Manizales, Colombia

photograph by Charles J. Sharp 

[autistrix]

[https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143750279] Shining Sunbeam || Aglaeactis cupripennis Observed in Colombia Least Concern in location of observation

[shiripunolodge]

Ecuador Hummingbird Trail: Antisana Wildlife Reserve. . . Antisana Wildlife Reserve has a amazing number of hummingbird species at different attitudinal gradients. . . We found a high altitude specie: Shinning Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) . . #INaturalist #Crowdfunding #Cloudforest #Ecuador #Conservation #Nature #EcuadorRestoration #Travel #privatetours #wildlife #TravelMartLatinAmerica #TMLA #TMLA2019 #TravelEcuador #best #hummingbird #hummertrail #trail #photo #video #rg #ReGram #southamerica #explore #Andes (at Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0UOg8gDji/?igshid=7h8r0kgsrz52

[typhlonectes]

Shining sunbeam hummingbird, Aglaeactis cupripennis