The peacock coquette is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield and northern Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and foothill evergreen rainforest, forest edges, riverine woodland, and secondary growth with abundant flowering plants. It regularly visits canopy and midstory blossoms, especially of epiphytes and flowering shrubs. The species is patchy but can be locally common where nectar resources are concentrated. It is recorded in northern Brazil, Guyana, and southern Venezuela.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the smallest hummingbirds, the peacock coquette is named for the male’s ornate, peacock-like head crest used in display. It frequents flowering trees and epiphytes in the lowland forests of the Guiana Shield. Like many hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with tiny insects for protein. Its presence often tracks local flowering peaks after rains.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Typically solitary at flowers and defends rich nectar clumps against other small hummingbirds. Males perform close-range displays, fanning the crest and tail to attract females. The tiny cup nest is placed on a slender branch or twig, and the female alone incubates two small eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, high-pitched chips and thin trills given during foraging and display. The rapid wingbeats produce an audible insect-like buzz at close range.
