Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas Scientific name definitions

The largest species of hummingbird (Trochilidae), the Giant Hummingbird's preternatural size and buoyant, unhurried flight-style could more readily be confused for a swallow (Hirundinidae) or a swift (Apodidae) than a typical hummingbird. Even when hovering, its wing movements are surprisingly slow and occasionally punctuated by brief glides. Its plumage is generally cinnamon brown or rufous, with a contrasting whitish rump and base to the tail. It is found in high-altitude regions throughout western South America, from southernmost Colombia south to central Chile and Argentina. Its conspicuous presence is attributed to both its substantial size and its preference for open landscapes, including arid montane scrublands and cultivated areas with hedgerows. While predominantly found in natural habitats, sightings of the Giant Hummingbird in urban settings are not uncommon.