Eriocnemis glaucopoides
The Blue-capped Puffleg (Eriocnemis glaucopoides) is a stunning hummingbird, instantly recognizable by its iridescent violet-blue cap and distinctive, dense white feather tufts adorning its legs, giving it its 'puffleg' moniker. Averaging about 10 cm (4 inches) in length and weighing 4-5 grams, its body is predominantly emerald green, complemented by a short, straight black bill and a slightly forked tail. Males typically display a more vibrant and extensive blue cap than females, which often...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, often found in bushy ravines and shrubby clearings. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters (3,300-9,800 feet) above sea level.
Its primary diet consists of nectar from a variety of flowering plants, which it obtains by hovering. It supplements this sugary intake with small insects and other arthropods, caught either in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
The Blue-capped Puffleg is a diurnal and highly active hummingbird, spending its days darting between flowers and engaging in aerial pursuits. Its foraging strategy primarily involves hovering gracefully in front of blossoms to extract nectar with its specialized tongue, but it also gleans small ...
The Blue-capped Puffleg is endemic to the humid montane forests of the Yungas ecoregion in south-central South America. Its distribution spans southeastern Bolivia, extending from the departments of Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca southwards through Tarija. It continues its range into northwestern Arge...
Least Concern
- The genus name 'Eriocnemis' literally means 'woolly greave' or 'woolly boot,' a direct reference to the distinctive white feather tufts on its legs. - These prominent white 'pufflegs' are thought to play a role in courtship displays, potentially making the bird appear larger or more attractive ...