The purple-throated woodstar is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
Region
Northwestern Andes and Chocó (Panama to Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama through western Colombia into northwestern Ecuador, mainly in humid foothill and montane zones. It favors cloud forest edges, secondary growth, and clearings with abundant flowering shrubs and epiphytes. The species also visits shaded gardens and hedgerows near forest. Local elevational movements may occur following flower availability.
Altitude Range
500–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny hummingbird lives up to its woodstar name with a bee-like, darting flight and the male’s brilliant purple throat that flashes in the light. It frequents forest edges, clearings, and gardens in the Chocó and Andean foothills. Females alone build the delicate cup nest from plant down and spider silk. Like many hummingbirds, it can enter nightly torpor to conserve energy.
female/immature
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
rapid hovering with short, darting flights
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and defends rich flower patches against other hummingbirds. Courtship involves short aerial chases and display flights by males. The female builds a tiny cup nest from plant down bound with spider silk on a sheltered branch and performs all incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and short trills given while foraging or during interactions. Wingbeats produce a faint, insect-like buzz, especially noticeable at close range.
Plumage
Metallic green upperparts with clean whitish underparts and buffy-cinnamon sides; male shows a glittering purple throat and a short, slightly forked dark tail. Female lacks the purple gorget, has a pale throat with dusky spotting, and a darker tail with rufous bases and whitish tips.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from tubular flowers of shrubs, vines, and epiphytes, including genera like Fuchsia and Salvia. It supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, captured by hawking from perches or gleaning from foliage. This protein intake is important during breeding and for juvenile growth.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, and semi-open understory in cloud forests and foothill forests. Often visits flowering gardens and hedgerows near natural habitat, moving between flower clumps and perching frequently.
