Image via Macaulay Library
Giant Hummingbird
- Scientific name
- Patagona gigas
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Giant Hummingbird, or Patagona gigas, represents a singular evolutionary path within the Trochilidae family. Reaching sizes nearly double that of its closest relatives, this species occupies a distinct ecological niche in the high-altitude environments of the Andes mountains. It evolved to navigate the thin air of these rugged landscapes, developing a robust physiology and a unique flight style that diverges from the rapid, vibrating wingbeats typical of smaller hummingbirds.
First formally described in the early 19th century, the species has long intrigued naturalists due to its atypical morphology. Its pointed wings and distinctively notched tail are functional adaptations for hovering in challenging, wind-swept mountainous terrain where it feeds primarily on the nectar of Puya bromeliads. Throughout the history of ornithological study, it has served as a primary subject for understanding metabolic efficiency and anatomical scale within the hummingbird lineage.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Giant Hummingbird
Giant Hummingbird is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Giant Hummingbird on collecto.rs?
Giant Hummingbird doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Giant Hummingbird?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Giant Hummingbird catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Giant Hummingbird is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
