Southern Giant Hummingbird
Southern Giant Hummingbird (<em>Patagona gigas</em>) is a species of Hummingbirds (<em>Trochilidae</em>) in the order Swifts and Hummingbirds.
Overview
Southern Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is a species of Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) in the order Swifts and Hummingbirds. The largest hummingbird in the world, the size of a small bird, with a dull brown body and long tail; slower wingbeats, feeding at deep flowers and defended territories in high Andes.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Patagona; binomial: Patagona gigas; authority: (Vieillot, 1824). Typical size: 20-23cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: South America.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
Giant Hummingbird is split into two species based on comprehensive genomic, morphological, and ecological evidence of species-level divergence (Williamson et al. 2024; SACC 1059).
