The Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus) is found from the mountains of central Mexico south into the northern Andes of South America (to n. Bolivia and n. Argentina). See photo below. That this species has wandered to Michigan is amazing. Strays of this species have been recorded elsewhere in the east very few times, with records only from Wisconsin and North Carolina.  There are several records from Texas.

The first for Michigan, apparently a juvenile, was found from July 16 - August 18, 1996  at a private residence at Edwardsburg, Cass County, in the Lower Peninsula (MBNH 4: 28, 103. desc./ph. UMMZ). Photos of this bird can be found at the Michigan Bird Records Committee website.

This record was documented by written descriptions and photos.  This record was published in Michigan Birds & Natural History (MBNH), and the records are housed in the Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC) files at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Bird Division (UMMZ).

Green Violet-ear.
Photographed on August 11, 2002 near Bergland, Ontonagon Co, Michigan by Robert Seasor.   © Robert Seasor.  All Rights Reserved.