The empress brilliant is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Western Andes of Colombia and northwestern Ecuador
Typical Environment
Inhabits humid premontane and montane cloud forests on the west Andean slopes, including forest interiors, edges, ravines, and clearings with abundant flowering shrubs. Common around epiphyte-laden trees, bromeliads, and passionflowers. Also visits semi-open habitats like shade coffee, gardens, and roadside vegetation when nectar is available. Prefers areas with continuous canopy and rich understory blooms.
Altitude Range
300–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Empress Brilliant is a large Andean hummingbird that frequents lush cloud forests and edges where flowers are abundant. Males often defend nectar-rich flower patches, acting as important pollinators for many montane plants. Females alone build the tiny cup nest and rear the young. Its iridescent plumage can look dramatically different depending on the light.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and males vigorously defend rich flower clumps from other hummingbirds. Courtship involves aerial chases and displays at favored perches. The female constructs a small cup nest of plant fibers bound with spider silk and incubates two white eggs without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and short metallic trills given from exposed perches. Wing hum is pronounced during close fly-bys, and calls accelerate during territorial chases.
Plumage
Iridescent, glittering green body with a vivid violet-blue gorget and sheen; overall glossy appearance that shifts with light. Females are duller green with a speckled or scaly-looking throat and paler underparts. Tail slightly notched to forked with bronzy or coppery tones.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from tubular flowers, especially in the understory and mid-canopy, probing blossoms with its straight bill. Supplements diet with small arthropods, hawking them in mid-air or gleaning from foliage to obtain protein. Acts as an effective pollinator, transferring pollen between flowers during repeated visits.
Preferred Environment
Forages at flowering shrubs, epiphytes, and bromeliads along forest edges, clearings, and ravines. Frequently visits gardens and shade coffee where native blooms persist.
