The wire-crested thorntail is a hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in humid forests in the Andean foothills of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Bolivia.
Region
Andean foothills of western Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs along the humid eastern slopes of the Andes in southern Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru, with possible records in northern Bolivia. It inhabits foothill and submontane rainforest, especially edges, gaps, river corridors, and second growth with abundant flowering shrubs and trees. The species forages from understory to canopy, often along forest-edge ecotones. It tolerates some disturbance and can persist in regenerating habitats if nectar resources remain available.
Altitude Range
400–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny hummingbird is named for the male’s distinctive wiry crest filaments and needle-like tail spikes (“thorntail”). Males perform energetic aerial displays near flowering trees, while females are more subdued and lack the crest. It frequents humid Andean foothill forests and edges, often visiting canopy and subcanopy blooms. Despite its striking look, it can be surprisingly hard to spot away from display perches.
Temperament
active and somewhat territorial around nectar sources
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Usually solitary while feeding, but males display at traditional perches and may form loose leks near rich flowering sites. Nesting is typical of small hummingbirds, with tiny cup nests placed on slender branches or twigs. Females handle incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and rapid twitters given during foraging and display. Wing noise may add a faint buzz during close passes.
Plumage
Male is iridescent green with a distinctive wiry forward-projecting crest and extremely elongated, spiky central tail feathers; body compact with glittering throat. Female lacks crest and tail spikes, shows green upperparts, whitish underparts with some green spotting on the sides, and a more typical short tail with pale tips.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and epiphytes, including canopy blooms along forest edges. Also hawks or gleans small arthropods for protein, especially during breeding. Shifts among flower patches as resources change through the season.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, and riverine corridors where flowers are abundant, from understory to canopy. Frequently perches conspicuously near favored flower clumps between feeding bouts.
