The violet-fronted brilliant is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern and Central Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Andean foothills and lower montane slopes from western Venezuela through Colombia and Ecuador into Peru and northern Bolivia. It inhabits humid evergreen and cloud forest edges, secondary growth, and riverine corridors. The species readily uses clearings, forest borders, and flowering gardens near forest. It is most frequently seen in the understory to midstory, especially where epiphytes and flowering shrubs are abundant.
Altitude Range
400–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large, glittering hummingbird of Andean foothill forests, the violet-fronted brilliant is named for the male’s luminous violet forehead. It often defends nectar-rich flower patches and practices traplining between favored blooms. Females lack the violet forecrown and show whitish, mottled underparts. Like many hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with small insects for protein.
Male H. l. otero - Cock-of-the Rock Lodge, Peru (flash photo)
Female H. l. sagitta - Copa Linga Lodge, Ecuador (flash photo)
Temperament
territorial around flower patches
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically solitary when foraging, but may gather loosely where flowers are abundant. Males defend rich nectar sources vigorously against other hummingbirds. Nests are small cups of plant fibers and spider silk, placed on sheltered branches or over streams. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights rather than group leks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Produces thin, high-pitched chips and twitters, often given while perched between feeding bouts. Wing hum is pronounced during close passes. Vocalizations are simple but persistent around defended territories.
Plumage
Male is iridescent emerald-green with a brilliant violet forecrown and bronzy-green tail; underparts glittering green with some bluish hues. Female is green above with whitish to grayish underparts marked with green spotting and lacks the violet front. Both sexes have a mostly dark, straight bill and slightly forked, bronzy tail.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of tubular flowers, including epiphytes, shrubs, and canopy blossoms. It practices traplining, visiting a circuit of favored plants, and also defends particularly rich patches. Insects and spiders are taken by hawking or gleaning to provide protein, especially during breeding. It occasionally sips from garden ornamentals in settled areas near forest.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, and midstory where flowering plants are concentrated. Often follows flowering Inga, vines, and epiphytes along streams and forest borders. Will visit shade-coffee and gardens adjacent to native forest.
