The festive coquette is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in humid lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest, including edges, clearings, and secondary growth. It also uses semi-open habitats with abundant flowering shrubs and trees, and sometimes visits urban parks and gardens. Birds often follow seasonal flower availability, moving locally as resources shift.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny hummingbird of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, the festive coquette is famed for the male’s ornate spiky crest and bold white rump band. It frequents forest edges, second growth, and flowering gardens where it acts as an important pollinator of tubular blossoms. Habitat loss in the Atlantic Forest affects its distribution and local abundance.
Female
Male displaying for female
Temperament
agile and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with precise hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary away from breeding, though multiple birds may gather at rich flowering patches. Males perform short, darting display flights and defend nectar resources. Nest is a tiny cup of plant down and spider silk placed on a slender branch or fork.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid tsee notes, given while foraging or during chases. Wing hum is pronounced and can form a soft metallic buzz during close passes.
Plumage
Tiny, glittering green hummingbird with a clean white rump band; males show an ornate spiky crest and decorative cheek tufts. Females are plainer with green upperparts, whitish underparts lightly mottled, and lack the male’s crest and tufts.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of tubular flowers, including shrubs, trees, and epiphytes. Also takes small insects and spiders for protein, gleaned from foliage or hawked in short sallies. Follows flowering peaks and may shift locally to track blooming plants.
Preferred Environment
Forages at forest edges, along clearings, and in secondary growth where flowers are abundant. Frequently visits gardens and parks with ornamental blooms. Uses perches near nectar sources to rest and watch for intruders.
