Ramphomicron microrhynchum
The Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) is a captivating, diminutive hummingbird endemic to the high Andes, instantly recognizable by its exceptionally short, straight black bill—among the shortest relative to body size of any hummingbird. Males are resplendent with an iridescent violet-purple back, contrasting with a shimmering green-bronze crown, wings, and tail, and a glittering emerald-green gorget that flashes in the sunlight. Females are generally duller, sporting a bro...
This species thrives in high-altitude Andean cloud forests, paramo edges, and elfin forest clearings, typically found between 2,500 and 3,700 meters (8,200-12,100 feet) elevation, favoring areas with abundant small flowering shrubs and mossy vegetation.
Primarily feeds on nectar from small, shallow flowers, and a significant portion of its diet consists of small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
The Purple-backed Thornbill is a diurnal and highly active species, spending its days darting among vegetation in search of food. Its foraging strategy is distinct: while it sips nectar from small, often bell-shaped flowers, it relies heavily on gleaning tiny insects from foliage and spider webs,...
The Purple-backed Thornbill is found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of South America, with a distribution extending from western Venezuela, through Colombia and Ecuador, south into central Peru. Its range is primarily along the eastern and western slopes of the Andean cordillera, usually inha...
Least Concern
- The Purple-backed Thornbill possesses one of the shortest bills relative to its body size among all hummingbirds, making its foraging unique. - It is a high-altitude specialist, comfortable in the cold, thin air of the Andean cloud forests and paramo edges. - To survive freezing nights, it can ...