Booted racket-tail hummingbirds fight

Booted racket-tail hummingbirds fight over the right to feed from a flower. Hummingbirds will attack each other to secure the rights to feed from flowers and expend large amounts of energy doing so.

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Brown Violetear Hummingbird

A Brown Violetear Hummingbird (Colibri delphinae) is photographed as it approaches the nectar of a local flower. The Violetear is found in middle elevations in Central America, primarily in the Andes, Costa Rica and the Tepuis, with some in Trinidad.

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Green-crowned brilliant hummingbird and white-bellied woodstar hummingbird

A female green-crowned brilliant hummingbird sits atop a reddish-yellow flower and watches a female white-bellied woodstar hummingbird sip the nectar from the plant.

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Purple-throated Woodstar Hummingbird

A Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii) hummingbird enjoys the nectar of a Tiger Eye Flowering Maple, which resembles a Chinese Lantern.

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Sword-billed Hummingbird

The Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) is the only species of bird in which its bill is longer than the rest of its body. This gives this beautiful hummingbird exclusive access to long flowers that are not accessible to other hummingbirds. The bill of this species is just under six inches in length.

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Two hummingbirds feed from white and pink blooming flower

Two hummingbirds find a blooming pink and white flower to sip nectar from. Hummingbirds in Ecuador inhabit forests and canopies in search of flowers with nectar and insects to feed on.

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Brown Inca Hummingbird

While photographing hummingbirds a Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni) visits the flower ready for its picture to be taken. The Brown Incas are found in Colombia and Ecuador.

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Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird in Ecuador

Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird perches on a unique branch.

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Buff-tailed Coronet Hummingbird

A Buff-tailed Coronet Hummingbird inspects a Red Angels Trumpet flower at the Guango Lodge in Ecuador.

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Chessnut-bellied Hummingbird

The beautiful coloring of the Chestnut-Bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris) is very unique. One of my favorite species, this hummingbird is a frequent visitor to the Guango Lodge in Ecuador.

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Chestnut-crowned Antpitta on a log

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta is on a mossy log in Ecuador.

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Collared Inca Hummingbird Close-up in flight

A Collared Inca hummingbird from Ecuador pictured close-up feeding on a yellow flower.

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Collared Inca Hummingbird in flight

A Collared Inca hummingbird (Coeligena torquata) is a very difficult hummingbird to photograph due to its high contrast white and black feathers. This image was taken in Ecuador.

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Violet-tailed Sylph Hummingbird

A Violet-tailed Sylph Hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) displays the grace of this amazing bird. This species of hummingbird is found in Colombia and Ecuador and prefers elevations up to 7,000 feet.

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A brightly colored toucan perches on branch

A Collared Aracari perches on a branch at Milpi Lodge in Ecuador. This species of toucan is one of the many impressive species of birds that can be found in the ecologically diverse country of Ecuador, and is known for it's brightly marked body, and large bill.

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A white-bellied woodstar and a booted racket-tail hummingbird

A white-bellied woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant) and a booted racket-tail hummingbird (Ocreatus underwoodii) share feeding from a flower. The woodstars are one of the smallest hummingbirds, and have flight patterns simlar to bees, therefore the other hummingbirds do not bother them as they would one of the same species.

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A white whiskered hummingbird with bright flower and gray background

A white whiskered hermit hummingbird feeds on nectar from an exotic flower found in Ecuador. Hummingbirds use their long bills to reach into a flower and lick the out nectar with their tongues. The wings aren't the only quick body part on a hummingbird. They can lick 10 to 15 times per second while feeding.

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Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird

The tail of a Booted Racket-tail hummingbird (Ocreatus underwoodii) is displayed as this bird displays its accuracy in hovering while it drinks the nectar of a local flower.

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Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird

With its tongue out, ready for nectar, a Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii), enjoys a snack in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.
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Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird sits on red and yellow flower.

A Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird (Boissonneaua flavescens) poses for a photo as it sits atop a red and yellow flower. This image was taken in the Cloud forests of Ecuador.

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Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird with purple flower

A Buff-tailed coronet hummingbird(Boissonneaua flavescens) feeds from a thorny purple flower.

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Buff-tailed coronet hummingbirds fight

Buff-tailed coronet hummingbirds fight while on a branch in the Cloud forest.

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Fat Hummingbird

Is this the chubbiest hummingbird you've ever seen?

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Papallacta lake with reflection

Over a high mountain pass in Ecuador, Papallacta lake has a perfect reflection.

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Tourmaline Sunangel

A male Tourmaline Sunangel hummingbird (Heliangelus exortis) grasps on to a flower while feeding on its nectar. This species is found in Ecuador and Columbia.

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Velvet-purple Coronet and Buff-tailed Coronet Hummingbirds

A Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini) waits patiently for a Buff-tailed Coronet (Boissonneaua flavescens) to finish enjoying the fresh nectar of a local flower. Mindo Loma, Ecuador.

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Velvet-purple Coronet Hummingbird

Ecuador is home to more than a hundred species of hummingbirds. This Velvet-purple Coronet is just one example of the beautiful hummingbird species found in Ecuador. Photographed at the Mindo Loma lodge with a multiple flash setup to produce the detail in the wings.

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Velvet-purple Coronet Hummingbird

A Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini), one of the most beautifully colored hummingbirds, enjoys a rest at the Mindo Loma Cloud Forest Bird Lodge in Ecuador.

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Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird drinks from flower

A violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) drinks from a local flower in the Mindo Loma Cloud forest.

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Violet-tailed Sylph Hummingbird from Mino Loma

A Violet-tailed Sylph Hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) photographed at the Mino Loma Bird lodge in Ecuador with a multi-flash setup. This species of hummingbird is found in Colombia and Ecuador and prefers elevations up to 7,000 feet.

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Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird in flight

Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) drinks from a local flower in Ecuador.

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Andean Emerald and Purple-throated Woodstar hummingbirds

Normally very aggressive birds these two hummingbirds, an Andean Emerald (Amazilia franciae) and a Female Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii), share the plentiful nectar of a local flower in the rain forest of Ecuador.

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Booted Racket-tail hummingbird

The original image I wanted was to have the Booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii) feeding on the flower while in-flight. However, this little guy kept landing on top, therefore I changed my multi-flash setup, and he came in and posed for the photograph. I guess that is why they call it wildlife.

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Purple-bibbed Whitetip Hummingbird

By utilizing multiple flashes, I was able to capture the Purple-bibbed Whitetip hummingbird (Urosticte benjamini), without any motion blur. This technique generates about 1/10,000 shutter speed.

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Purple-throated Woodstar Hummingbird

Deep in the rain forest of Ecuador a Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii) comes to visit. This hummingbird is common in the Cloud forest of Ecuador, and is also found in Colombia and Panama.

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Sword-billed Hummingbird

The Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) is the only species of bird in which its bill is longer than the rest of its body. This gives this beautiful hummingbird exclusive access to long flowers that are not accessible to other hummingbirds. This species can be found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

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Tourmaline Sunangel with orange flowers

A Tourmaline Sunangel poses with orange flowers in Ecuador.

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Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird

Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird is one of the most beautiful hummingbirds in the world.

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Booted racket-tail hummingbird approaches a purple flower

A Booted racket-tail hummingbird (Ocreatus underwoodii) approaches a purple flower and displays its unique split tail.

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Booted racket-tail hummingbird in Ecuador

A Booted racket-tail hummingbird dines on the nectar of a pink flower in Ecuador.

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Booted racket-tail hummingbird with orange flower

Deep in the rain forest of Ecuador, a booted racket-tail hummingbird dines on an orange flower.
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Booted racket-tail hummingbirds feed from flower

A pair of booted racket-tail hummingbirds (Ocreatus underwoodii) share feeding from an orange flower in the Cloud forest of Ecuador.

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Fawn-breasted brilliant hummingbird perches on a banana flower

Fawn-breasted brilliant hummingbird perches on a banana flower.

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Masked flowerpiercer on branch

Masked flowerpiercer on branch in the Mindo Loma cloud forest in Ecuador.

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Red-headed Barbet on a perch

Red-headed Barbet on a perch in Ecuadors Tandayapa valley.

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Two species of hummingbirds hover near brightly blooming flower

A white whiskered hermit hummingbird hovers above a green thorntail hummingbird, allured by the sweet nectar of a blooming flower. Hummingbirds live solitary lives. They can become aggressive when protecting their territories, although it's uncommon for one hummingbird to injure another.

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Two species of hummingbirds share a meal

A white-bellied woodstar hummingbird hovers in the air while he sips on nectar, sharing a meal with the a larger Green-crowned Brilliant hummingbird male. The larger hummingbird is known for being a robust hummingbird that inhabits mountainous forests in the highlands of Costa Rica and Ecuador.

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Violet-tailed sylph hummingbird with flower

A violet-tailed sylph hummingbird (Aglaiocercus coelestis) inspects a pink flower in Ecuador.

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Blue-gray tanager on a mossy branch

Blue-gray tanager on a mossy branch in Ecuador.

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Booted Racket-tail Hummingbird

A pair of Booted Racket-tail hummingbirds (Ocreatus underwoodii) share the nectar of a local flower at the Tandayapa Lodge in Ecuador.

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