The fawn-breasted brilliant is a species of hummingbird. It is native to South America, where it occurs in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs on the humid slopes of the Andes from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. It favors subtropical and montane cloud forests, edges, and semi-open habitats such as clearings, riparian thickets, and shaded coffee plantations. Birds often concentrate where flowering shrubs and epiphytes are abundant, including along forested ravines and secondary growth. Local elevational movements track seasonal flower availability.
Altitude Range
600–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large hummingbird of Andean cloud forests, the fawn-breasted brilliant is noted for its glittering green throat contrasted with warm fawn underparts. Males defend flower-rich territories aggressively, often chasing other hummingbirds. It makes a small cup nest bound with spider silk. The species is an important pollinator of tubular Andean flowers and may shift elevation locally following blooms.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Outside of breeding, individuals are mostly solitary and defend nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Courtship is polygynous; males display within or near feeding territories. The nest is a small cup of plant fibers and moss bound with spider silk, placed on a sheltered horizontal branch.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Produces high, sharp chips and thin twitters, especially during chases and territorial disputes. Songs are simple, intermittent sequences of high-pitched notes delivered from a perch.
Plumage
Iridescent green upperparts with a glittering emerald throat and chest blending into warm fawn to buff underparts; tail dark with slight fork. Females tend to show a more mottled or spotted throat and paler underparts.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from tubular flowers, including shrubs, epiphytes, and garden ornamentals. Supplements its diet with small arthropods captured by hawking or gleaning from foliage. Insects provide essential proteins, especially during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and flowering thickets where nectar is concentrated. Often visits epiphyte-laden branches and edges of shaded plantations and gardens.
