The buff-thighed puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs on the east Andean slopes of southern Peru and northern Bolivia, mainly in humid montane and cloud forests. It uses forest edges, elfin forest, secondary growth, and shrubby ravines with abundant flowering plants. Often forages along roadsides, stream corridors, and forest gaps where blooms are concentrated. It may make short local movements following flower availability but remains within montane habitats.
Altitude Range
1500–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small Andean hummingbird, the buff-thighed puffleg is named for its distinctive buff-colored feather tufts on the legs. It frequents cloud forest edges and shrubby clearings where it visits a variety of tubular flowers. Like most hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with tiny insects for protein. It is generally quiet and unobtrusive but can be territorial around rich flower patches.
Temperament
generally unobtrusive, mildly territorial at rich flower patches
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in loose proximity to other hummingbirds where flowers are abundant. Males defend small feeding territories; both sexes follow traplines between favored plants. The nest is a small cup of plant fibers, moss, and spider silk placed on a sheltered branch or bank; the female incubates two white eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high, thin chips and short, sibilant tseet notes given while foraging. Wing hum is noticeable at close range, with occasional brief rattling trills during chases.
Plumage
Mostly glittering green with bronzy tones, slightly paler on the belly, and a dusky to bronzy tail that is weakly forked. The defining feature is the buff-colored, fluffy leg puffs on the thighs. Feathers appear smooth and compact on the body, with a subtle iridescent sheen typical of brilliants.
Diet
Primarily nectar from tubular flowers including shrubs and small trees such as Fuchsia, ericads, and bromeliads. Supplements with small insects and spiders captured by hawking and gleaning from foliage or taken from spider webs. Employs a traplining strategy, visiting a circuit of flowering plants repeatedly.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and along streams where flowering shrubs are concentrated. Often forages in the midstory and understory but will also take flowers at canopy gaps and roadside vegetation.
