Eriocnemis vestita
The Glowing Puffleg (*Eriocnemis vestita*) is a truly enchanting medium-sized hummingbird, instantly recognizable by its dazzling iridescent plumage and, most famously, its conspicuous white 'leg puffs'. Measuring about 9.5-10 cm (3.7-3.9 in) in length and weighing 4.0-5.5 g (0.14-0.19 oz), males boast a brilliant emerald green body, a shimmering violet-blue throat, and stunning violet-blue undertail coverts, which contrast strikingly with the pure white feather tufts on their legs. Females a...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests, forest edges, and bushy slopes, thriving in the dense vegetation of the Andean highlands. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,400 meters (6,500-11,000 feet).
Their diet consists predominantly of nectar extracted from a wide variety of flowering plants, which they access while hovering. They also supplement their nectar intake with small insects and spiders, gleaned from foliage or caught in mid-air, providing essential protein.
Glowing Pufflegs are diurnal, highly active birds, spending their days darting between flowers and occasionally perching on exposed branches. They are primarily solitary foragers, exhibiting a traplining behavior where they repeatedly visit a circuit of flower patches, often defending particularl...
The Glowing Puffleg is a resident species found throughout the Andes mountains of South America, with a disjunct distribution across multiple countries. It occurs in the Eastern and Central Andes of Colombia, extending south through the Andes of Ecuador, and into far northern Peru (specifically i...
Least Concern
- The 'pufflegs' that give this genus its name are dense tufts of white feathers on their thighs, which are unique and thought to play a role in courtship displays or thermoregulation at high altitudes. - Despite its relatively small size, the Glowing Puffleg is an incredibly agile flyer, capable...