The blue-tufted starthroat is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and possibly Ecuador.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Bolivia and central to southeastern Brazil through Paraguay to northern Argentina and Uruguay, with scattered records reported in Peru and Colombia and possibly Ecuador. It favors open and semi-open habitats including savanna (Cerrado), Caatinga-like scrub, edges of gallery forest, and second-growth woodland. Also uses riparian thickets, forest clearings, and human-modified areas such as parks and gardens. Local movements track flowering cycles, and it often occupies low to mid-level perches near nectar sources.
Altitude Range
0–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males flash a vivid sapphire-blue throat with distinctive lateral blue tufts during courtship and territorial displays, giving the species its name. It is an agile, assertive hummingbird that vigorously defends rich nectar sources. The small cup nest is camouflaged with lichens and plant fibers on a horizontal branch, and the female alone incubates and raises the young.
Temperament
wary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Generally solitary except at rich flowering plants where brief interactions occur. Males display from exposed perches and chase intruders from feeding territories. The female builds a tiny cup nest of plant down bound with spider silk, usually on a horizontal branch, and lays two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin tsit and tsee notes, rapid twitters, and dry chips. During display, males produce accelerated chatter and buzzy trills while hovering or performing short flights.
