The colorful puffleg hummingbirds are a group of small, iridescent hummingbirds found exclusively in South America. There are nine recognized species within this genus, all of which are endemic to the Andes mountains. These hummingbirds get their name from their brightly colored “puff” of feathers on their legs. They are some of the most beautiful and unique hummingbirds in the world.
Physical Characteristics
The colorful pufflegs are tiny birds, ranging in size from about 8-10 cm long and weighing 4-6 grams. As their name suggests, they have brightly colored plumage, particularly on their undersides. The male pufflegs display vibrant gorget feathers on their throats in hues of metallic turquoise, violet, copper and emerald green. Their backs and heads are primarily covered in green feathers, while their undersides are white with colorful spotting. They have relatively short tails and long, slender decurved bills.
True to their name, colorful pufflegs have fluffy white leg feathering, resembling small puffs of cotton. This distinctive trait gives them their common name. The leg puffs are thought to play a role in display and attraction. In addition to their leg puffs, the colorful feathers on the males are used to attract females during mating displays.
Habitat and Range
Colorful puffleg hummingbirds occupy high elevation cloud forests and elfin forests in the northern Andes mountains. Their range extends from Venezuela to Bolivia, primarily between elevations of 2,500-4,500 meters. They are found in habitats such as forest edges, clearings, ravines and streamsides that provide the flowers and insects they rely on for food.
Most puffleg species have small ranges concentrated in Colombia and Ecuador. For example, the gorgeted puffleg is found only on the eastern slopes of the Central Andes in south-central Colombia. In contrast, the coppery-naped puffleg has the widest distribution, occurring from Venezuela to Peru. Unfortunately several colorful puffleg species are considered threatened or endangered due to their small, shrinking habitats. Climate change also poses a threat by shifting the tree line higher, reducing available habitat.
Diet and Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, colorful pufflegs feed on nectar from specialized tubular flowers. Their long bills and tongues are perfectly adapted for extracting nectar. Some favorite flower sources include species from the families Rubiaceae, Ericaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Gesneriaceae. They use their slender bills to lick the nectar with their extensible tongues up to 13 times per second while hovering at the flowers.
In addition to nectar, colorful pufflegs capture small insects such as mosquitos, spiders, and gnats to obtain protein and nutrients. They glean insects from foliage using their precise, adapted bills. The male and female both feed on flowers and insects, sometimes feeding together or defending flower patches.
Reproduction and Behavior
The breeding season for colorful puffleg hummingbirds correlates with the rainy season, which varies across their range. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying in arcs and circles to attract mates. Their puffy leg feathers are flared out and their colorful throat feathers are prominently displayed during breeding displays. Once pairs mate, the female alone is responsible for building a small cup-shaped nest out of plant fibers, moss, and lichens on a branch or trunk.
She incubates the eggs for about 15-19 days until they hatch. The chicks are born helpless, with closed eyes, no feathers, and unable to regulate their own body temperature. The female alone cares for the chicks, feeding them regurgitated nectar and insects. After they fledge from the nest at 5-6 weeks of age, the mother may continue to feed them for a few days. Sadly only about 25% of young pufflegs survive to adulthood.
Colorful pufflegs are territorial and solitary for most of the year, only interacting with mates during the breeding season. Their high-pitched wingbeat sounds like an insect to ward off intruders from their territory. When threatened, they can deliver painful jabs with their needle-like bills.
Unique Species
Some particularly magnificent species include:
– The sapphire-vented puffleg endemic to Colombia sports a brilliant sapphire blue patch on its underside.
– The emerald-bellied puffleg of Ecuador has shiny emerald belly feathers that glint in the sun.
– The coppery-naped puffleg has a gleaming copper colored neck and head feathers unlike any other.
– The colorful puffleg endemic to Peru was only discovered in 1977 and has a dazzling violet forehead and cheeks.
Conservation Status
Due to their small geographic ranges, seven of the nine colorful puffleg species are considered threatened with extinction. Habitat loss from deforestation poses the largest threat, as their specialized high elevation habitats are disappearing. Climate change also endangers the puffleg hummingbirds by driving their habitat zones further up mountain slopes.
Partnerships with local communities, habitat restoration, and halting deforestation are top conservation priorities. Ecotourism and birdwatching activities focused on colorful pufflegs can also raise awareness and funding for protecting these unique hummingbirds. With targeted conservation action, we can ensure the continued survival of these beautiful and iconic tropical mountain birds. The colorful pufflegs serve as ambassadors for the rich biodiversity of the threatened South American cloud forests.