The black inca is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Colombia.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane and cloud forests, forest edges, and secondary growth within the Eastern and adjacent Central Andes of Colombia. It favors areas with abundant flowering shrubs and epiphytes, especially along ridges, stream gullies, and forest margins. Birds often move through vertical forest strata, from understory to mid-canopy, tracking blooms. It will occasionally visit gardens near intact forest if suitable nectar sources are present.
Altitude Range
1200–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This medium-sized hummingbird is confined to the Andean cloud forests of central Colombia. Males aggressively defend rich flower patches and often chase away other hummingbirds. Habitat loss in montane forests is the primary threat, making its conservation closely tied to protecting Andean oak and cloud-forest corridors.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone, with males vigorously defending flowering shrubs or trees. Courtship and territorial chases involve fast, direct dashes and hovering displays. The female builds a tiny cup nest of plant down and spider silk, usually on a sheltered branch, and incubates two eggs without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid tsee-tsee notes delivered from perches or while foraging. Wings produce a faint, insect-like hum during close hover-feeding.
Plumage
Mostly sooty-black with subtle bluish-green iridescence on the body; contrasting white shoulder patches show on the folded wing. Tail is dark and slightly glossy; underparts uniformly dusky. Females are similar but a touch browner with reduced sheen.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from tubular flowers of shrubs and epiphytes, selecting blossoms with high sugar content. It supplements nectar with small arthropods, hawking them in short sallies or gleaning from foliage for protein. Individuals track blooming cycles and may shift locally as key plants come into flower.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and mid-canopy gaps where flowers are abundant. Also uses streamside vegetation and patches of secondary growth rich in flowering plants.
