The white-booted racket-tail is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid montane forests, forest edges, and secondary growth in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and western Venezuela. Common around clearings, along streams, and at the ecotone between forest and shrubby slopes. Frequently visits flowering shrubs, epiphytes, and gardens with feeders. Uses vertical strata from understory to mid-canopy, often along sunlit edges and gaps.
Altitude Range
600–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny hummingbird is famed for the male’s long tail with spatulate ‘rackets’ and fluffy white leg puffs that inspired its common name. It frequents flower-rich edges of Andean cloud forests and often visits feeders in montane towns. Males display by fanning the tail and chasing rivals around favored flower patches. Despite its ornate appearance, it is widespread in the Northern Andes.
Temperament
territorial and agile
Flight Pattern
rapid hovering with short darting flights
Social Behavior
Typically solitary at flowers but males defend rich nectar sources aggressively from other hummingbirds. Breeding involves aerial displays; males do not assist with nesting. The small cup nest is placed on a slender branch or fork, often over a stream or along a shaded forest edge.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid twitters delivered during chases and displays. The wingbeats produce an audible hum, and males may add buzzy trills during close encounters around favored flowers.
Plumage
Iridescent green upperparts with contrasting white leg 'boots'; males have elongated outer tail feathers ending in spatulate disks. Females are greener above with whitish underparts lightly speckled and lack the full rackets. Both sexes show a clean, neat appearance with a shimmering metallic sheen.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from tubular flowers, including epiphytes and shrubs typical of cloud forests. Supplements nectar with small arthropods, hawking tiny insects in mid-air or gleaning from foliage. Regularly visits feeders when available, especially during drier periods or at higher elevations.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, riparian corridors, and gardens with abundant flowering plants. Often chooses perches near flower clumps to defend them and to sally forth for insects.
