The greenish puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.
Region
Andes and Chocó of northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama through western Colombia and Ecuador into northern Peru, mainly on the Andean slopes and adjacent Chocó low to mid-elevations. It inhabits humid montane forest, cloud forest, and forest edges with abundant flowering shrubs. The species often uses streamside thickets, secondary growth, and clearings where nectar sources are concentrated. It may move locally along elevation gradients in response to flowering cycles.
Altitude Range
700–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The greenish puffleg is a small hummingbird named for the distinctive fluffy white feather tufts around its legs. It frequents humid montane and cloud forests where it follows seasonal blooms. Like many hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with tiny insects for protein. It belongs to the 'brilliants' (tribe Heliantheini) within the subfamily Lesbiinae.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly while feeding, it defends rich flower patches from other hummingbirds. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights; males do not assist with nesting. The female builds a small cup nest of plant fibers and moss, often on a sheltered branch or bank, and incubates alone.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and insect-like trills delivered intermittently while foraging. It also gives rapid squeaks during aggressive interactions at flowers.
Plumage
Shimmering green to bronze-green overall with velvety tones; white, fluffy leg puffs are prominent. Underparts are greenish with buffy to cinnamon undertail coverts; tail is bronzy-green and slightly forked. Feathers appear compact and glossy with a soft sheen.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of tubular flowers, including those of cloud-forest shrubs and epiphytes. It often visits plants in families such as Ericaceae and Melastomataceae. To meet protein needs, it hawks or gleans tiny insects and spiders, especially during breeding.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, and streamside thickets where flowers are abundant. It works both the understory and midstory, hovering to probe corollas and occasionally perching between bouts.
