Shining Sunbeam
Aglaeactis cupripennis
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusAglaeactis (Sunbeams)
- SpeciesAglaeactis cupripennis (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 →
Recent sightings of Shining Sunbeam in Podocarpus National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Podocarpus National Park
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Coeligena torquata
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Heliangelus amethysticollis
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Boissonneaua matthewsii
Little Sunangel
Heliangelus micraster
Many-spotted Hummingbird
Taphrospilus hypostictus
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Heliodoxa leadbeateri
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Fork-tailed Woodnymph
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Violet-headed Hummingbird
Klais guimeti
Fawn-breasted Brilliant
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Golden-tailed Sapphire
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Sparkling Violetear
Colibri coruscans
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 2 | Huascarán National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 3 | Cajas National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 4 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 5 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 6 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 7 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Shining Sunbeam in Podocarpus National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Shining Sunbeam sighting in Podocarpus National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Shining Sunbeam in Podocarpus National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Shining Sunbeam in Podocarpus National Park in our monthly data.