Much bigger than the normal hummingbirds, measured between 21 and 24 cms. Has greenish grey upper parts with a metallic shine, with some white on the back; the lower parts are reddish. The sexes look alike, but the male is much larger. They live in trees or bushes.

Family: Trochilidae

Distribution: There are two subspecies in Chile: the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas gigas) lives from Atacama to the Laguna del Laja; the northern giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas peruviana) lives in the mountains of Tarapaca.

Habitat: Shrublands from the coast to the foothills and high desert oasis.