The pink-throated brilliant is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs on the east Andean slopes of southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northern Peru. It inhabits humid lower montane and foothill evergreen forests, including forest edges and tall secondary growth. Birds are frequently found along ravines and streamside vegetation with abundant flowering shrubs and epiphytes. They will also visit clearings and gardens with suitable flowering plants near forest.
Altitude Range
500–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking hummingbird of the Andean foothills, the pink-throated brilliant is named for the male’s iridescent magenta-pink gorget. It hovers expertly to feed on nectar and also takes small insects for protein. By visiting a wide variety of tubular flowers, it serves as an important pollinator in humid montane forests.
Pink-throated Brilliant
Temperament
territorial around rich flower patches
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Typically solitary when foraging, with males defending nectar territories. Nests are tiny cup structures of plant down and moss, placed on horizontal branches or sheltered forks. Females alone incubate and rear the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident with local elevational movements
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and short twitters given from perches or while foraging. Wing hum is audible at close range. Males may deliver brief, tinkling sequences during territorial displays.
Plumage
Glossy green upperparts with a gleaming iridescent throat and clean, slightly paler underparts; tail with a bronzy to greenish sheen.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a wide array of tubular flowers, including canopy and understory blooms as well as epiphytes. Also consumes small arthropods, hawking them in flight or gleaning from foliage to obtain essential proteins. Foraging often follows a trapline or involves defending a productive patch of flowers. Plays a role in pollination by transferring pollen between plants.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages in forest understory to midstory along trails, gaps, and stream edges where flowers are abundant. Will also visit flowering shrubs in forest-edge gardens and secondary growth.
