The Perija starfrontlet is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane and elfin forests, forest edges, and shrubby clearings within the Serranía del Perijá of northeastern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. It favors areas with abundant flowering shrubs and bromeliads, often along ridgelines and steep slopes. The species tolerates some disturbance and will use second-growth, but it depends on nearby intact cloud forest. It typically forages at midstory to canopy level and along forest edges.
Altitude Range
1800–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Perija starfrontlet is a rare hummingbird restricted to the cloud-forest belt of the Serranía del Perijá on the Colombia–Venezuela border. Habitat loss from agriculture and settlement has fragmented its range, contributing to its Endangered status. Like many hummingbirds, it defends rich flower patches and supplements nectar with tiny insects for protein.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of courtship and defends nectar-rich flowers vigorously against other hummingbirds. The female builds a small cup nest of plant fibers and spider silk, usually on a sheltered branch. Clutches are typically two white eggs, with the female handling incubation and most chick-rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid tsee-tsee notes, often given while foraging or during chases. Wing hum is audible at close range, and males give sharper, more insistent calls during territorial disputes.
