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White-eared Hummingbird
Birds diurnal

White-eared Hummingbird

Basilinna leucotis

A bold mountain gem with a striking white mask and a vibrant red bill. The White-eared Hummingbird brings a flash of violet and emerald to high-altitude gardens.

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Quick Identification

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Size

9–10 cm (3.5–4 in) long; wingspan of approx. 13 cm (5 in); 3–4 g (0.11–0.14 oz)

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Colors

Iridescent emerald green body; male has violet-blue crown and throat with a bright red bill tipped in black; female has white underparts with green spotting; both feature a bold white ear stripe.

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Key Features

  • Bold, thick white stripe extending behind the eye
  • Bright red bill with a dark tip
  • Iridescent violet-blue face and throat (males)
  • Frequent metallic 'tink' call

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal
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Peak hours 6-10 AM and 4-7 PM
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Season April-September (U.S.); Year-round (Mexico and Central America)
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Diet Nectar from tubular flowers and sugar-water feeders; also consumes small insects and spiders for protein.
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Habitat High-altitude pine-oak forests, mountain canyons, and wooded suburban gardens near the forest edge.

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Behavior

The White-eared Hummingbird is a spunky and spirited visitor, often described as more aggressive and territorial than other hummingbird species. Despite their small size, they are fiercely protective of their food sources, frequently engaging in high-speed aerial dogfights to drive away larger competitors. Their presence is usually announced by a distinctive, metallic 'tink-tink-tink' call that sounds like two small pebbles being struck together.

In social settings, they are solitary and rarely share feeders. They tend to hover with a very high-frequency wingbeat, resulting in a low hum, and move in sharp, jerky patterns. While they are primarily mountain-dwellers, they are remarkably bold around humans, often hovering just a few feet away to inspect a new feeder or a brightly colored piece of garden equipment.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the White-eared Hummingbird, position your AI camera approximately 12 to 18 inches away from a nectar feeder. Use a 45-degree side angle slightly below the feeder's ports; this specific angle is best for highlighting the male's violet throat and the bright red base of the bill. Avoid placing the camera directly facing the sun, as backlighting will wash out the metallic feathers and make the bird look like a dark silhouette.

Because these birds are incredibly fast, set your camera to its highest possible frame rate or 'Action' mode. If your camera has a 'Pre-Roll' feature, enable it—this allows the device to save the few seconds of footage leading up to the motion trigger, ensuring you catch the bird as it arrives rather than as it's flying away. High-sensitivity settings are a must for these small, fast-moving targets to ensure the motion sensor triggers the moment they enter the frame.

White-eared Hummingbirds are very sensitive to their surroundings and prefer feeders located near 'perching cover' like a thicket or pine tree. Placing your camera near a feeder that is tucked into a quiet, semi-shaded corner of the yard will yield more frequent visits. If you are using a trail camera, mount it at chest height (4-5 feet) and ensure there are no stray leaves or branches in the immediate foreground that might cause false triggers on windy days.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with White-eared Hummingbird.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Broad-billed males have a blue throat but lack the distinct white ear stripe and have a more extensive blue-green chest.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem

Much larger than the White-eared; it has a white eye-stripe but possesses a dark bill and a solid gray breast.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the 'golden hours' of early morning and late afternoon. In mountain habitats, they are particularly busy just after sunrise when nectar levels are highest and again before dusk to fuel up for the cold night.
Plant native mountain flowers like Agave, Penstemon, and Salvia. Maintaining a clean nectar feeder with a 4-to-1 water-to-sugar ratio is also highly effective, especially if the garden is located near pine-oak forests.
Their diet is a mix of high-energy nectar for flight and small arthropods like gnats and spiders, which provide the protein and minerals needed for nesting and feather health.
They are only common in suburban areas that sit at higher elevations (above 5,000 feet), particularly in the mountain ranges of Arizona, New Mexico, and throughout Mexico.
Look for the namesake white ear stripe. While both have red bills, the White-eared Hummingbird has a very thick, prominent white line behind the eye that the Broad-billed lacks.

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