The butterfly coquette is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and adjacent Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland rainforest, river-edge habitats, várzea and igapó forests, and secondary growth. It favors edges, clearings, and canopy gaps where nectar-rich flowers are abundant. Also uses river islands and young successional stands along waterways. Locally enters gardens and orchards with suitable flowering plants.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The butterfly coquette is a tiny hummingbird with an ornate male crest and cheek tufts, typical of the coquettes. It frequents flowering trees and edges of humid lowland forests across much of the Amazon Basin. Males often display from exposed perches, while females build delicate cup nests on thin horizontal branches. Like many hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with small insects for protein.
Temperament
active and agile
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with hovering and brief dashes
Social Behavior
Usually solitary while feeding but may gather loosely at flowering trees. Males display from exposed perches and engage in short chases around nectar sources. The female alone builds a tiny cup nest of plant down and spider silk, typically on a slender branch. Clutch is usually two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and short tsee notes, given from perches or during chases. Wing hum is prominent at close range and may accompany display flights.
Plumage
Tiny, compact hummingbird with glittering green upperparts and a contrasting pale rump band; underparts mostly whitish with green spotting or sides. Male shows an ornate rufous to orange crest and cheek tufts with dark edging; female lacks crest and has cleaner underparts with a small post-ocular spot.
Diet
Primarily nectar from a variety of tubular flowers, including Inga, Hamelia, and Heliconia, as well as epiphytes. It supplements with small arthropods, hawking midges and gnats in short sallies and gleaning tiny insects from foliage. This protein intake is important during breeding and molt.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, river margins, canopy gaps, and flowering gardens where blossoms are concentrated. Often selects taller perches near nectar sources for short foraging bouts.
