The Ecuadorian piedtail is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes (east slope)
Typical Environment
Occurs on the eastern slopes of the Andes from southern Colombia through eastern Ecuador into northern Peru. Inhabits humid and evergreen foothill and lower montane forests, especially at forest edges, along ravines and streams, and in regenerating secondary growth. It tolerates semi-open habitats with flowering shrubs but remains most frequent in shaded understory. Often follows seasonal blooms and can appear in forested gardens near intact habitat.
Altitude Range
400–1700 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny hummingbird of the east Andean foothills, the Ecuadorian piedtail takes its name from the striking white patches in its tail that flash during flight. It often forages low in the forest understory and along streams, where it hovers to sip nectar from small flowers. Though placed among the coquettes (tribe Lesbiini), it lacks an ornate crest and looks rather plain until the tail is seen well.
In Peru
Temperament
shy and somewhat retiring, often low in understory
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically solitary when foraging, with males defending small nectar territories around productive flower patches. Pairs form during the breeding season, and the female builds a tiny cup nest of plant down and spider silk, often placed on a low horizontal branch or over a stream. Parental care is by the female, which incubates and feeds the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and short twitters given from low perches or while foraging. Wing noise can add a soft buzzy trill during close passes.
Plumage
Upperparts iridescent green to bronze-green with a slightly darker mask; underparts buff to cinnamon with variable green flecking on the throat and breast. Tail short and rounded with contrasting white patches on the outer feathers. Wings dusky with a faint purplish gloss.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from small tubular flowers of understory shrubs and vines, including plants in the Melastomataceae and Rubiaceae. Supplements its diet with tiny arthropods, which it hawks in short sallies or gleans from foliage. Will visit flowering edges, clearings, and gardens when natural blooms are abundant.
Preferred Environment
Low to mid-level understory along forest edges, streams, and gaps where flowering shrubs are concentrated. Also uses regenerating secondary forest and semi-open thickets adjacent to intact forest.
