ComingsBirds.com/Birdgroups-G-L

To the Beauty of Birds

The Snowcap Microchera albocoronata is a small hummingbird which is a resident breeder in Hondura, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama. It is the only member of the genus Microchera.
Its habitat is the canopy and edges of wet forest, and it will also use adjacent more open woodland. It occurs mainly on the Caribbean mountain slopes, breeding mainly at heights of 300–800 m.
This is a tiny hummingbird is only 2.5 g in weight, with a short black bill and black legs. The adult male Snowcap is unmistakable. It has the shining white cap which gives this species its English and scientific (albocoronata) names, a deep purple body, and white outer tail feathers. The adult female is bronze-green above, dull white below, and does not have the white cap.

Since it flits around so rapidly, it is a difficult bird to photograph. These were photographed at Rancho Naturalista outside the Ranch managers home away from the Rufous-tailed bullies. Photo 6480 shows a Snowcap from 50 yards up over the ponds at Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica.

Snowcap

Hummingbird Snowcap 9660

Hummingbird Snowcap 9659

Hummingbird Snowcap 9665

Hummingbird Snowcap 9666

Hummingbird Snowcap 9680

Hummingbird Snowcap 9681

Hummingbird Snowcap in the pond 8684