Lophornis ornatus
The Tufted Coquette (Lophornis ornatus) is a dazzling miniature hummingbird, measuring a mere 6.6 to 7 cm in length and weighing approximately 2.3 grams, making it one of the smallest and most ornate members of the Trochilidae family. Males boast an unmistakable reddish-orange crest and iridescent green throat tufts, contrasting sharply with a bronzy-green back, a prominent white rump band, and rufous flanks. Females, while lacking the crest and tufts, are equally distinctive with their green...
This vibrant hummingbird primarily inhabits lowland tropical forests, forest edges, clearings, savannas with scattered trees, cultivated areas, and gardens, typically found from sea level up to elevations of around 1,200 meters.
Tufted Coquettes primarily feed on nectar from a variety of small, often tubular flowers, supplementing their diet with tiny insects caught in flight (aerial hawking) or gleaned from foliage while hovering.
Tufted Coquettes are diurnal and highly energetic, dedicating much of their day to foraging for nectar and insects. Males are intensely territorial, aggressively defending prime feeding areas from other hummingbirds and sometimes even larger insects through rapid aerial chases and high-pitched vo...
The Tufted Coquette is a resident species found across northeastern South America and on the island of Trinidad. Its primary distribution encompasses eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and extending into northern Brazil (specifically the states of Amapá, Pará, and Roraima). On Tr...
Least Concern
- The Tufted Coquette is one of the smallest hummingbirds in the world, weighing less than a U.S. penny (approximately 2.3 grams). - Its scientific name, *ornatus*, directly translates to "ornate" or "decorated," a fitting description for the male's elaborate plumage. - Male Tufted Coquettes perf...