Mountaingems are a genus of hummingbirds, Lampornis, which inhabit mountainous regions from the south-western United States to the Isthmus of Panama.
Mountaingem
Image: Blue throated Hummingbird South Fork Cave Creek AZ 2015 07 01at 11 18 138 (33930794408)
Image: Purple throated Moutain Gem (6901527484)
Image: White throated Mountain gem
Hummingbirds are birds native to the Americas and comprise the biological family Trochilidae. With approximately 366 species and 113 genera, they occur from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, but most species are found in Central and South America. As of 2024, 21 hummingbird species are listed as endangered or critically endangered, with numerous species declining in population.
Hummingbird
Adult male bee hummingbird, Cuba
Close-up of toe arrangement in a ruby-throated hummingbird foot, showing three claw-like toes forward and one backward.
A nesting female Allen's hummingbird