The golden-breasted puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs on humid Andean slopes from southern Colombia into northern Ecuador, mainly along forest edges, clearings with shrubs, and elfin forest margins. It frequents flowering montane forests rich in epiphytes, including Ericaceae and Fuchsia. The species also uses scrubby páramo edges and second-growth when blossoms are abundant. It tends to remain resident but may shift locally with bloom availability.
Altitude Range
2200–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A high-Andean hummingbird, the golden-breasted puffleg is named for the fluffy white feather “puffs” on its legs and its metallic golden-bronze underparts. It aggressively defends rich flower patches and hovers expertly among shrub and forest-edge blooms. Females build tiny cup nests from plant down and spider silk, and alone rear the young.
Temperament
territorial and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary at flowers, defending rich nectar sources against other hummingbirds. Courtship involves aerial chases and displays around flowering shrubs. The female builds a small cup nest of plant fibers and spider webs and provides all parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Mostly thin, high-pitched chips and tsit notes, given singly or in short series while foraging. Wing hum is audible at close range, especially during territorial chases.
Plumage
Iridescent green upperparts with a striking metallic golden-bronze breast and belly; contrasting fluffy white leg puffs typical of pufflegs. Tail dark with a subtle bluish gloss and slightly notched. Bill straight, slender, and black.
Diet
Primarily nectar from tubular flowers such as Fuchsia, Bomarea, and ericads, using a long extendable tongue. Supplements diet with small arthropods for protein, captured by hawking or gleaning from foliage. Adjusts foraging to local flower availability and may follow blooming cycles along slopes.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, gaps, and shrubby clearings where flowers are dense. Often visits flowering epiphytes and shrubs at mid-levels to canopy height, and margins of elfin forest and páramo.
