Calzoncitos de Munchique
Colorful Puffleg
Eriocnemis mirabilis
Song
Colorful Puffleg
Appearance: The Colorful Puffleg is a small hummingbird characterized by its vibrant colors. It exhibits a striking green upper body, a white chest, and unique puffed-up leg feathers that give it its name. The males tend to have more vivid colors and a longer tail compared to the females.
Habitat: This species inhabits the humid montane forests and paramo ecosystems found at high altitude ranging from 2200 to 2800 m (7200 to 9200 ft) above sea level. The Colorful Puffleg prefers areas with dense vegetation and abundant flowering plants, as these provide essential food resources.
Behavior: Colorful Pufflegs are known for their agile flight and territorial behavior. They are often seen hovering around flowers while feeding on nectar. They may also engage in aerial displays to assert dominance over their territory. They typically feed alone but may associate with other hummingbirds in abundant floral areas.
Breeding: Breeding behavior in the Colorful Puffleg has not been extensively studied. They likely engage in elaborate courtship displays. Nesting occurs in the dense vegetation where the female builds a small cup-shaped nest and lays two eggs, which she incubates.
Conservation Status: The Colorful Puffleg is classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
The Colorful Puffleg is found in the Western Andes in the Munchique National Park and the Serranía del Pinche in the Department of Cauca
Taxonomy
The Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Eriocnemis
- Species: Eriocnemis mirabilis
Vocalization
The Colorful Puffleg produces a variety of chirps and whistles. Vocalizations are primarily used for communication between mates and to establish territory. Males often sing and make calls during the breeding season to attract females and ward off rivals.
