The white-bellied woodstar is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Andes Mountains
Typical Environment
Occurs on the Andean slopes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia. Favors edges of humid montane and cloud forests, second growth, and semi-open areas with abundant flowering shrubs. Frequently visits gardens and plantations in foothill towns and rural areas. Typically forages from the understory to mid-canopy, following flowering cycles across the landscape.
Altitude Range
500–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny hummingbird is a classic woodstar, often appearing bee-like as it zips between flowers with extremely rapid wingbeats. It practices trap-lining, visiting a sequence of flowering plants rather than defending a single patch. Males and females look quite different, with males showing a glittering throat and females sporting warmer buffy tones on the flanks.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Generally solitary at flowers, with males defending small nectar sources briefly while also following trap-lines. Breeding involves aerial courtship displays by the male. The nest is a tiny cup of plant down and spider silk placed on a horizontal twig or sheltered fork.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are very thin, high-pitched chips and twitters delivered during foraging and display. Wing hum is conspicuous, producing a bee-like buzz as it hovers.
Plumage
Shimmering green upperparts with a clean white belly; very small with a short, straight bill. Males show an iridescent violet throat and crisp white underparts; females have a white throat with fine spotting, green back, and buffy-cinnamon flanks. Tail is short and appears slightly forked in males, more rounded in females.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from small tubular and bell-shaped flowers of shrubs, vines, and epiphytes. Supplements nectar with tiny arthropods captured by hawking or gleaned from foliage and spider webs. Often follows a regular circuit of flowering plants to maximize nectar intake.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, riparian thickets, and in gardens where flowering plants are abundant. Uses understory to mid-level strata, frequently visiting isolated ornamental shrubs in human-modified habitats.
