The Chimborazo Hillstar: A High-Altitude Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are commonly thought of as a typical tropical bird family. And for the most part, this perception is accurate – of the 363 species of hummingbirds, the vast majority thrive in tropical environments. But some species inhabit such extreme habitats that few would expect to find tiny, fragile hummingbirds there. The Ecuadorian Hillstar, for example, lives at altitudes of 4,000 to 5,000 meters (13,100 to 16,400 feet) above sea level – heights that are literally breathtaking.