The lesser violetear (Colibri cyanotus) is a medium-sized, metallic-green species hummingbird commonly found from Costa Rica south to the Andes and Argentina and east to Venezuela. It commonly inhabits the canopy and borders of subtropical and lower temperate forest, secondary woodland and scrub, and clearings and gardens. It is recorded mostly between altitudes of 1,500 and 3,000 metres (4,900 and 9,800 ft), although it is sometimes found down to 900 metres (3,000 ft). The lesser violetear is a medium-sized hummingbird with an average length around 9.7 to 12 centimetres (3.8 to 4.7 in) and a body mass of 4.8 to 5.6 grams (0.17 to 0.20 oz). Its bill is black and mostly straight with only a slight downward curve. This lesser violetear of the subspecies C. c. cabanidis was photographed in the Mount Totumas cloud forest in Chiriquí Province, Panama.Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp
