Shining Sunbeam

About the Shining Sunbeam

The shining sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis) is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. As of 2022, the shining sunbeam had two recognized subspecies, the nominate A. c. cupripennis and A. c. caumatonota. In the past the species had been subdivided into as many as six subspecies. In addition, what is now the purple-backed sunbeam (A. aliciae) has also been treated as a subspecies of shining sunbeam.

The shining sunbeam is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long. Males weigh 7.6 to 8.1 g (0.27 to 0.29 oz) and females 6.9 to 7.5 g (0.24 to 0.26 oz). Both sexes have a short, straight, black bill. Unique among sunbeams, neither sex has any white plumage. Males of the nominate subspecies have a dark brown crown and upper back; their lower back and rump are lilac-gold becoming silvery green on the uppertail coverts. Their tail feathers are dark brown to rufous, usually with bronzy edges. Their throat is rufous dotted with dusky gray, the breast a patchy buff, and the belly reddish brown. From north to south, the male's underparts become brighter, the crown... Wikipedia →