This Shining Sunbeam hummingbird shows why its name is appropriate. The iridescence from those feathers on its back have to be seen to be believed. We were at Hacienda El Bosque, a popular birding lodge at an altitude 11,000 feet (3,350 metres) almost at the highest point of a pass over the Cordillera Central of the northern Andes. There are feeders to attract all sorts of birds and this hummingbird is just one example. It is difficult to imagine the whole lodge and its series of bird arenas was built as diversification by the owners from being reliant on dairy farming (now moving over to beef).
The Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) is a montane species. It occurs at altitudes between approximately 6,000 and 14,000 feet or 2,500 to 4,300 metres along the Andes from Colombia, through Ecuador to Peru.
A seemingly monotonously coloured hummingbird in flight it only displays its colours when its back is facing the observer. But even then I saw occasions when one of them was sitting on a twig without the feathers on the back being raised. I have found no reference as to whether this incredible display can be turned on and off by altering the angle of the feathers. The direction of the sun of course affects the iridescent colours that are seen. The sexes are alike.
Very defensive of their food source they are constantly seeing off other hummingbirds but yielding to larger species.
What a bird! — was heard more than once.
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