Eriocnemis nigrivestis
The Black-breasted Puffleg, Eriocnemis nigrivestis, is an exceedingly rare and strikingly beautiful hummingbird, a jewel of the high-altitude cloud forests of Ecuador. Males are instantly recognizable by their velvety black breast and belly, contrasting with an iridescent emerald green back and rump, and a glittering violet-purple throat patch. A hallmark of the genus, dense, snowy-white feather tufts adorning their legs, known as 'puffs,' give them their distinctive name and add to their all...
Found exclusively in humid subtropical and tropical montane cloud forests, typically inhabiting forest edges, clearings, and shrubby areas at high elevations.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, especially those in the Ericaceae and Gesneriaceae families, supplemented with small arthropods for protein.
The Black-breasted Puffleg is a diurnal species, spending its active hours foraging for nectar and insects. It is primarily solitary, with individuals maintaining discrete foraging territories around rich patches of flowers. Males are particularly assertive, aggressively defending their preferred...
The Black-breasted Puffleg is endemic to the Western Andes of northern Ecuador, occupying an incredibly restricted and fragmented range primarily within Pichincha Province, northwest of the capital Quito. Its current known distribution is limited to a few isolated patches of high-altitude cloud f...
Critically Endangered
- The Black-breasted Puffleg is considered one of the rarest hummingbirds in the world, with a critically endangered status and an extremely fragmented population. - Its scientific name, 'nigrivestis,' is Latin for 'black-robed,' a fitting description for the male's striking dark plumage. - The '...