Notes from the Birding Walks | Field Observations from Birdwatching Guatemala
At Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, a White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis) hovered above a young bird waiting among flowers. The interaction lasted only seconds, but the photograph shared in Benedicto Grijalva’s Notes from the Birding Walks series records a moment of parental attention that a birder could easily miss.
Watching Behavior, Not Only Identifying a Bird
Bird identification often begins with plumage, shape and voice. But a short encounter can also raise questions about feeding, independence and how young birds develop. In the Lake Atitlán observation, the adult and young White-eared Hummingbirds appeared close together among flowering plants. The field note describes a brief exchange associated with parental care; the image alone does not show the complete sequence of feeding behavior.
For White-eared Hummingbirds, the female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the nestlings. The young leave the nest after roughly three to four weeks, but fledging is not the same as immediate independence. Continued observation is important when interpreting adult–juvenile interactions.
How to Identify the White-eared Hummingbird
The White-eared Hummingbird is best recognized by its broad white stripe behind the eye, standing out against a dark head. Adult males may show a violet face and shimmering green throat in favorable light. Females and immature birds generally lack that bright male iridescence, although the distinctive head pattern remains useful. The bill is reddish toward its base, with a darker tip.
Scientific name: Basilinna leucotis
Family: Trochilidae
Typical habitat: mountain forest, including pine-oak woodland and forest edges
Why Lake Atitlán Is Worth Exploring for Hummingbirds
The lake’s wooded slopes, gardens and flowering vegetation offer chances to observe hummingbirds outside a formal feeding station. White-eared Hummingbirds occur in mountain forests and visit flowers along clearings and edges. Like other hummingbirds, they take nectar and also consume small insects.
For birdwatchers, a productive morning can mean taking time to observe one patch of flowering plants rather than walking continuously. Look for repeated visits, perches, territorial chases and interactions between birds. The species and behaviors present will vary with elevation, local habitat and flowering conditions.
What to Record During a Birding Walk
Useful field notes go beyond a species name. Record the location and habitat, which bird approached first, whether food was visibly transferred, how long the interaction continued, and whether it happened again. These details help separate what was directly seen from what may reasonably be inferred.
When photographing young birds, keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing feeding activity or approaching a nest for a better angle. Patient observation often produces more informative photographs as well as a better experience for the birds.
Planning a Birdwatching Visit Around Lake Atitlán
Birding around Lake Atitlán changes considerably between lakeside areas and higher forests. Our Lake Atitlán birding guide introduces the different habitats and practical considerations for a field visit.
Travelers interested in montane birds can also explore the Rey Tepepul Reserve birding tour offered by Birdwatching Guatemala. The private excursion visits forests above Santiago Atitlán and can be adapted to a visitor’s birding interests and starting location. As with any field outing, a specific species or behavior cannot be guaranteed.
About This Field Observation
Observation: White-eared Hummingbird, adult and young bird
Location: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Field note: Benedicto Grijalva, Notes from the Birding Walks, originally shared on LinkedIn.
The original observation photograph has not been reproduced in this article because its source file and reuse permissions have not yet been verified for this website.
Species References
