Lophornis pavoninus
The Peacock Coquette (Lophornis pavoninus) is an avian jewel, a tiny hummingbird renowned for its spectacular male plumage. Measuring a mere 6.4 to 7 cm (2.5 to 2.8 inches) in length and weighing only about 2.5 to 3 grams, it is among the smallest and most strikingly ornamented birds. Males boast a dazzling metallic green head crest, an iridescent green throat, and, most famously, a pair of long, rufous-chestnut 'whiskers' or ear-tufts that flare out from the sides of its neck, often tipped w...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane forests, forest edges, and clearings, typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet). It favors areas with dense undergrowth and flowering plants.
The primary diet consists of nectar, extracted from a variety of small, tubular flowers, supplemented by tiny insects and spiders captured in flight.
Peacock Coquettes are primarily solitary birds, spending their days actively foraging for nectar and insects. They employ a 'trap-lining' strategy, visiting a regular circuit of flowering plants for sustenance. Males are highly territorial, aggressively defending prime feeding areas against rival...
The Peacock Coquette has a restricted but stable range, primarily found within the unique ecosystems of the Guiana Shield in northern South America. Its distribution spans eastern Venezuela, particularly in the Gran Sabana region, across Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It is also present in ...
Least Concern
- The male Peacock Coquette's elaborate neck plumes, often called 'whiskers' or 'ear-tufts,' can be almost as long as its entire body. - Despite its tiny size (around 2.5-3 grams), this coquette is known to aggressively defend its preferred feeding territories. - It belongs to the genus Lophornis...