Its closest relatives are other Ramosomyia hummingbirds, particularly the Azure-crowned Hummingbird and the Green-fronted Hummingbird, which share similar plumage and genetic lineage.
3.9 to 4.3 in (10 to 11 cm)
Length
4.7 in (12 cm)
Wingspan
0.15 to 0.2 oz (4.3 to 5.5 g)
Weight
About
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia violiceps) is a striking species of the family Trochilidae, found from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central America. It prefers arid and semi-arid habitats, including canyons, desert scrub, riparian woodlands, and even gardens, where it is often seen hovering at flowering plants or visiting feeders. In the U.S., it is most frequently observed in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, especially during summer.
This medium-sized hummingbird measures 10–11 cm (4–4.3 in) in length and weighs 4–5 grams. True to its name, it is easily identified by its gleaming violet crown, contrasting with a pure white throat and underparts. Its back and wings are a metallic green, while the tail is dark with white tips. The clean white chest, paired with the vibrant violet crown, makes this species one of the most distinctive hummingbirds of the Southwest. Males and females look similar, though females may have slightly duller plumage.
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird feeds mainly on nectar from flowering plants, such as agaves, ocotillo, and salvias, but it also consumes small insects and spiders for protein. It is an agile and aggressive feeder, often defending flower patches or feeders against rivals. Its sharp “tsee” calls make it easy to detect even before it appears.
Breeding occurs in spring and summer, with females solely responsible for nest construction and chick care. The nest is a small cup made of plant fibers and spider silk, camouflaged with lichens and placed on tree branches. The female typically lays two tiny white eggs and raises the chicks alone.
Although considered fairly common across its range, the Violet-crowned Hummingbird relies on riparian corridors and flowering habitats, making conservation of these ecosystems important for its continued survival.
Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia violiceps) is a medium-sized hummingbird known for its clean, bright plumage and striking crown.
Head: This species is named for the shimmering violet-blue crown that contrasts with its white face and underparts. Its short, straight bill is bright red with a black tip.
Plumage: The throat, chest, and belly are pure white, setting it apart from many hummingbirds with iridescent throats. The back and wings are metallic green, blending into a bronze-green rump.
Body: Slender and streamlined, the body is built for quick aerial movements. The wings are long and narrow, adapted for hovering and darting flight.
Tail: The tail is relatively long and squared with dark bronze-green feathers that may show faint rufous edges.
Size:
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Length: 3.9 to 4.3 in (10 to 11 cm)
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Weight: 0.15 to 0.2 oz (4.3 to 5.5 g)
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Wingspan: about 4.7 in (12 cm)
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird’s sharp contrast of violet, white, and green makes it one of the most easily recognized hummingbirds of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Reproduction
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia/Ramosomyia violiceps) follows the typical hummingbird pattern—small clutch, short incubation, and sole maternal care—tailored to its riparian habitats.
Mating and Courtship
Males display from perches within nectar-rich territories, performing shuttle flights and soft trills. Pair bonds are brief; the male does not assist with nesting or chick-rearing.
Breeding Season
Timing varies by range: in western Mexico, breeding peaks in late winter–spring; in the U.S. Southwest (e.g., SE Arizona), nesting often aligns with late spring–summer and can peak after monsoon rains.
Nesting
The female builds a small, cup-shaped nest from plant down and spider silk, camouflaged with lichens. Nests are set on horizontal limbs in gallery woodlands (sycamore, cottonwood, willow), typically 2–12 m above ground. Females may reuse or rebuild on the same limb in successive attempts.
Eggs
Clutch of 2 glossy white eggs, each about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long.
Incubation
Female-only incubation for roughly 15–19 days. She leaves briefly to forage, then returns to maintain egg warmth.
Chick Development
Hatchlings are blind and sparsely downy. The female feeds them regurgitated nectar enriched with tiny insects and spiders for protein.
Fledging and Independence
Young fledge around 20–26 days after hatching. They remain near the nest area for several days as the female continues to feed and guide them before full independence.
Broods per Year
Usually 1–2 broods per season; a rapid renesting attempt may occur if an early nest fails and resources are abundant.
Lifespan
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia/Ramosomyia violiceps) is a medium-sized species whose survival depends on nectar availability, predation pressures, and seasonal movements.
Lifespan in the Wild:
These hummingbirds typically live 5 to 6 years in the wild, though some individuals may reach up to 8 years under favorable conditions. Their high metabolism, small body size, and predation risks from raptors, snakes, and larger birds generally limit longevity.
Lifespan in Captivity:
In controlled environments with steady food and protection from predators, they may live slightly longer—up to 9 or 10 years. However, this species is rarely kept in captivity due to its specialized feeding and wide-ranging migratory habits.
Threats to the Violet-crowned Hummingbird:
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Predation: Vulnerable to hawks, owls, and arboreal snakes.
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Habitat Change: Loss of riparian woodlands in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico threatens critical breeding and foraging grounds.
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Climate Change: Shifts in flowering cycles and water availability may alter nectar sources along migratory corridors.
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Competition: Aggressive hummingbirds like the Black-chinned may outcompete them at feeders and natural food sources.
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird’s lifespan reflects the delicate balance between high-energy demands and ecological pressures, underscoring the importance of conserving riparian habitats for its long-term survival.
Eating Habits
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia/Ramosomyia violiceps) feeds with the high-energy demands typical of hummingbirds but shows particular ties to riparian blooms and insect-rich habitats.
Diet:
Its diet consists mainly of nectar from flowering trees, shrubs, and vines. Key sources include agave, ocotillo, trumpet vine, and riparian blossoms such as cottonwood and willow. It also consumes small insects and spiders, especially during breeding, to provide essential protein for chicks.
Feeding Strategy:
It forages by hovering in front of flowers, inserting its straight, red bill deep into the corolla. It also gleans tiny insects in midair or from foliage, adding variety to its diet.
Territoriality:
Males often defend nectar-rich feeding territories aggressively, chasing intruders from favored blooms. However, they may also participate in trap-lining—visiting a sequence of flowers in rotation rather than holding one patch.
Pollination Role:
As it feeds, pollen adheres to its head and bill, making the Violet-crowned Hummingbird an important pollinator in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, especially for tubular red and orange flowers.
Energy Demands:
With an extremely high metabolism, it must visit hundreds of flowers daily to sustain itself. At night, it enters torpor, lowering body temperature and metabolism to conserve energy.
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird’s feeding patterns highlight its role as both a nectar specialist and an ecological link between riparian plants and pollination networks in the American Southwest and Mexico.
Uniqueness
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Leucolia/Ramosomyia violiceps) stands out for its crisp, clean look and riparian lifestyle.
Signature look
A gleaming violet-blue crown set against a bright white face, throat, and underparts—an uncommon, high-contrast pattern among North American hummingbirds.
Red bill, black tip
A straight, red bill with a dark tip provides an easy field mark, even in quick flybys or at shaded feeders.
Riparian specialist
Strongly tied to gallery woodlands of sycamore, cottonwood, and willow. Its distribution closely follows healthy desert-river corridors.
Southwest standout
One of the few hummingbirds regularly breeding in the U.S. Southwest (notably SE Arizona), making it a sought-after species for American birders.
Seasonal mover
Undergoes regional shifts tied to flowering cycles and monsoon rains, tracking nectar in arid and semi-arid landscapes.
Clean white underparts
Unlike many iridescent-throated hummers, its pure white underside and green back create a simple, unmistakable silhouette.
Flexible forager
Combines territorial defense at rich resources with trap-lining routes, visiting a predictable sequence of flowering plants.
Important pollinator
Transfers pollen among tubular, red-to-orange blossoms—linking riparian plants across fragmented waterways.
Quiet but assertive
Vocalizations are soft chips and trills; behavior ranges from tolerant to feisty at feeders depending on resource abundance.
Taxonomy in motion
Recent treatments place it in Ramosomyia (formerly Amazilia/Leucolia), reflecting updated genetic insights while keeping its classic field marks unchanged.
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FAQ’s
1. What species is closest to the Violet-crowned Hummingbird?
2. How does the Violet-crowned Hummingbird compare to other hummingbirds?
Unlike many hummingbirds with colorful throats, this species has a bright violet crown and white underparts, giving it a clean, high-contrast look. Its red bill with a black tip also sets it apart.
3. What national parks provide the best opportunities for seeing a Violet-crowned Hummingbird?
They are most reliably found in southeastern Arizona’s riparian parks (such as Coronado National Memorial and Patagonia Lake State Park) and across Mexico in El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve and Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve.
