Snowcap
Microchera albocoronata
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusMicrochera (Elvira Emeralds)
- SpeciesMicrochera albocoronata (Snowcap)
About the Snowcap
The snowcap (Microchera albocoronata) is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The snowcap has two subspecies, the nominate M. a. albocoronata and M. a. parvirostris. The nominate was originally described as Mellisuga albo-coronata and the other as Panychlora parvirostris.
The snowcap is 6.5 to 7 cm (2.6 to 2.8 in) long and weighs about 2.7 g (0.095 oz). Both sexes of both subspecies have a short black bill and black legs. Adult males of both subspecies have the white forehead and crown that give this species its English and scientific names. Males of the nominate subspecies have dark purple upperparts with a purplish black nape and a reddish gloss on the back, rump, and uppertail coverts. Their face and underparts are black with a reddish purple gloss. Their central tail feathers are metallic bronze and the rest have white bases and black ends. Males of M. a. parvirostris differ by having less white on the tail feathers and a brighter coppery purple gloss to their upper- and underparts. Adult females of both subspecies have a... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Snowcap in Arenal Volcano National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenorio Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Bastimentos Island National Marine Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 5 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 6 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 7 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 8 | Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Snowcap in Arenal Volcano National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Snowcap sighting in Arenal Volcano National Park, based on 67 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Snowcap in Arenal Volcano National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Snowcap in Arenal Volcano National Park in our monthly data.