Eriocnemis derbyi
The Black-thighed Puffleg, Eriocnemis derbyi, is a resplendent medium-sized hummingbird, measuring approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.3 inches) in length and weighing around 5 grams. Its plumage is a dazzling, iridescent emerald green across most of its body, contrasting sharply with its diagnostic velvety black thighs adorned with prominent, snow-white leg puffs, which give the genus its common name. A straight, relatively short black bill, a slightly forked dark tail, and a small iridescent violet...
This specialized hummingbird inhabits humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and shrubby clearings, typically at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,100 meters (6,500-10,000 feet) above sea level.
The Black-thighed Puffleg primarily feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, extracting it while hovering; they also capture small insects in flight for protein.
Black-thighed Pufflegs are primarily diurnal, exhibiting high activity throughout the day as they forage, though specific roosting habits are not well-documented. Their foraging strategy centers on nectivory, hovering deftly at flowers to extract nectar with their long, extendable tongues, and su...
The Black-thighed Puffleg is a resident species found exclusively in the humid montane cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in South America. Its distribution spans parts of western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. In Colombia, it is primarily found along both the western and central Andes rang...
Least Concern
- The genus name "Eriocnemis" translates from Greek to "wool-leg," a direct reference to their distinctive fluffy leg feathers. - These leg puffs, while a stunning visual, are thought to play a role in thermoregulation, helping to keep their legs warm in the cool Andean cloud forests. - Despite t...