The black-thighed puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Andes of western Colombia south into northern Ecuador, primarily along the Western and Central cordilleras. It inhabits montane cloud forest edges, elfin forest, and shrubby slopes, often near natural clearings and along ravines. The species also uses high-Andean shrublands and páramo ecotones where nectar sources are abundant. It tolerates some habitat edges but relies on intact high-elevation vegetation mosaics.
Altitude Range
2200–3800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-thighed puffleg is a high-Andean hummingbird named for its distinctive fluffy black feather tufts on the thighs. It favors edges of cloud forest and páramo where it defends nectar-rich flowers and also catches tiny insects for protein. Like many hummingbirds, it builds a delicate cup nest from plant fibers and spider silk, usually on a sheltered branch.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly, defending rich flower patches against other hummingbirds. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights by the male. The female constructs a tiny cup nest of plant down bound with spider silk, laying two eggs and performing all incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and short trills given during foraging and territorial encounters. Wing hum is audible at close range, especially during aggressive chases.
Plumage
Predominantly iridescent green with bronzy gloss on the upperparts and darker, more dusky underparts toward the belly. Thighs bear fluffy, dense black feather tufts (“puffs”) that are conspicuous at rest. Tail is dark and slightly forked; bill is straight and black.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from tubular flowers of high-Andean shrubs and epiphytes, including ericads, melastomes, and Fuchsia. Supplements its diet with small arthropods caught by hawking or gleaning from foliage. This mixed diet provides essential proteins and minerals, especially during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, flowering shrublands, and páramo ecotones where nectar sources are concentrated. Often visits flowering hedgerows and clearings, moving between resource patches within a small territory.
