The mountain avocetbill is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs discontinuously along the Andes from central Colombia through Ecuador into northern Peru. Prefers humid montane cloud forests, elfin forest, forest edges, and shrubby clearings with abundant flowers. Often frequents Chusquea bamboo, treefall gaps, and streamside thickets where nectar plants are concentrated. It typically forages from the understory to mid-canopy, using short sallies and hover-feeding at blossoms.
Altitude Range
1800–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The mountain avocetbill is a small Andean hummingbird and the sole member of its genus, notable for its short, distinctly upturned bill reminiscent of an avocet’s. It inhabits humid montane forests and elfin woodlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where it forages close to flowering shrubs. Though local and often inconspicuous, it can be quite bold around rich nectar sources. Like many hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with tiny insects for protein.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Usually solitary away from nectar hotspots, where it may defend favored flower patches against other small hummingbirds. Nesting is typical of hummingbirds: a small cup nest placed on horizontal branches or in sheltered forks, with the female solely responsible for incubation and chick care. Courtship displays are brief and localized, and pairs do not form long-term bonds.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high, and thin, consisting of short tsee or tzip notes given intermittently while foraging. Wing trills may be audible during close fly-bys. It is generally quiet and more often detected by behavior than by voice.
Plumage
Compact hummingbird with mostly iridescent green upperparts and paler, grayish to whitish underparts. Throat and breast often washed pale with greenish flecking; undertail coverts can show buffy or rufous tones. Tail slightly rounded, often showing rufous or bronzy hues with darker subterminal shading. Overall plain-faced but with a distinctive, short, sharply upturned bill.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from small tubular or curved flowers of shrubs and understory plants, using its upturned bill to access certain corollas efficiently. Also hawks or gleans tiny insects and spiders for protein, especially during breeding. Shifts among flowering patches as blooms change seasonally.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, bamboo thickets, and streamside vegetation where flowering plants are dense. Often visits patches of blossoms repeatedly, maintaining small feeding territories.
