Welcome to this series of single-image posts.
You are looking at Ensifera ensifera, the sword-billed hummingbird.
It is the only bird on earth with a bill that is longer than its body-proper.
Some individuals’ beaks are longer than their entire bodies, tail-feathers included.
Bird-wise, Colombia is generally recognised as the world’s most species-rich nation; the “recognised” number exceeds 1,900 – circa 20% of the global total of bird species!
In March of this year my beloved and I were two of just four “punters” on a wildlife-centric trip to Colombia.
Its birdlife beggars belief.
Happily, Colombia is also special in many other ways.
A later, multi-image post will reveal more about the sword-billed hummingbird. (& include a couple of technically-better, rain-free photos)
Suffice for now that this tropical Andean species’ signature feature provides both “problem” and opportunity!
I took this post’s photo in Los Nevados National Nature Park; the next post will give you a partial view of the park’s “roof” – Colombia’s highest active volcano, which stands taller than Mont Blanc…and has proved much more lethal to Homo sapiens.
Great shot Doug. It prompts the wonder how the bird possibly consumes its nutrition all the way down the bill.