Velvet-purple Coronet

Overview

The velvet-purple coronet (Boissonneaua jardini) is a species of hummingbird belonging to the brilliants tribe. It is a small, colourful bird native to South America, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List despite a somewhat restricted range.

Identification

• Size 11 to 12.7 cm long, weighing 8.0 to 8.5 g, with a short, straight, black bill and small white puffs on the legs.
• Males possess a velvety black head with a glittering purplish-blue crown, velvety black throat, and purplish-blue breast and belly; upperparts are shining bluish green.
• Females are similar but duller, with buff to greyish-brown fringes on the breast and belly feathers.
• Courtship song consists of a series of alternating harsh and soft whistles, described as 'si, siii, si, siii, si, siii...'

Habitat

Found along the Pacific slope of the Andes from southwestern Colombia's Chocó Department to northwestern Ecuador's Pichincha Province. It inhabits the interior and edges of wet mossy primary and secondary forest, as well as shrubby landscapes, typically between 350 and 2,200 m in Colombia and 800 and 1,700 m in Ecuador, though most common above 1,200 m.

Diet

This territorial bird defends clusters of flowers from other nectar-feeding birds and forages at any forest level from the lower strata to the canopy. It feeds by clinging to flowers, holding its wings open for a second or two after landing, and also captures small insects by hawking from a perch.

Did you know?

During courtship, the bird performs a song characterised by a rhythmic series of alternating harsh and soft whistles. Its breeding season spans at least January to March, potentially extending as far as September, during which the female builds a cup nest of moss and lichen.