Philodice mitchellii
The Purple-throated Woodstar (Philodice mitchellii) is a diminutive and dazzling hummingbird, typically measuring just 6.8–7.6 cm (2.7–3.0 in) in length and weighing a mere 3.0-3.5 grams. Males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant, iridescent purple gorget, which can appear deep black in certain lighting, contrasting with a greenish-bronze crown and back, and distinctive rufous underparts with a white flank patch. Females, though lacking the vibrant gorget, are elegantly marked with ...
Found primarily in humid montane forests, cloud forest edges, and secondary growth. It inhabits elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 meters (3,900 to 9,200 feet).
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of small, tubular flowers, often specializing in specific plant families. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, caught by gleaning or hawking.
Purple-throated Woodstars are diurnal and largely solitary, spending their days actively foraging. They employ a trap-lining strategy, visiting a circuit of flowering plants for nectar, but also glean small insects from foliage or hawk them from the air. Males are fiercely territorial, vigorously...
The Purple-throated Woodstar is a resident species found exclusively in the Andes Mountains of northwestern South America. Its primary range extends from western Colombia, encompassing the Cauca and Nariño departments, and eastward through the Central and Western Andes ranges. From Colombia, its ...
Least Concern
- The Purple-throated Woodstar is among the smallest hummingbird species found in its Andean range, showcasing incredible metabolic efficiency for its size. - The male's iridescent purple gorget is structural coloration, meaning it changes appearance dramatically based on the angle of light, ofte...