Eriocnemis luciani
The Sapphire-vented Puffleg, a truly enchanting denizen of the high Andes, is a medium-sized hummingbird, typically measuring about 11 cm (4.3 in) in length and weighing a mere 5-6 grams. Its body is adorned with glittering iridescent green plumage, contrasted by a forked dark tail. The species' most captivating features, and the basis for its name, are the striking white, fluffy leg puffs (pantaloons) and the deep violet-blue to sapphire-colored undertail coverts. A long, straight, black bil...
Primarily inhabits humid montane cloud forests, elfin forests, and their shrubby borders at high elevations, typically between 2,500 and 3,800 meters (8,200-12,500 feet).
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, often favoring those with long, tubular corollas, and supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein.
This diurnal hummingbird maintains a high level of activity throughout the day, constantly foraging to support its rapid metabolism. It employs a foraging strategy known as 'trap-lining,' systematically visiting a circuit of specific flower patches within its territory to collect nectar. Males ar...
The Sapphire-vented Puffleg is a resident species found exclusively in the high-altitude Andes of South America. Its distribution spans from the Nariño Department in southern Colombia, southward through the central and eastern cordilleras of Ecuador. In Peru, its range extends through the Andes o...
Least Concern
- The 'pufflegs' are named for the distinctive, dense white downy feathers on their legs, which are thought to provide insulation in their cold, high-altitude habitat. - To fuel its incredibly high metabolic rate, this tiny hummingbird must consume vast quantities of nectar daily, often visiting ...