Calzoncitos Áureo
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Eriocnemis mosquera
Song
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Appearance: The Golden-breasted Puffleg is a small and vibrant hummingbird. It is named for its distinctive golden-bronze coloring on the breast. The rest of its plumage is green with iridescent qualities, which can appear to change color slightly depending on the light. One of its most notable features is the white, fluffy "puffs" or tufts of feathers on its legs, which give the species its name. The tail is short and slightly forked, and the bill is straight and slender, common in many hummingbird species.
Habitat: This species inhabits montane cloud forests and edges at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 3,600 m (approximately 8,200 to 11,800 ft) above sea level. It prefers areas with dense vegetation, where it can find flowers for feeding. The cloud forests provide a humid environment with plenty of mosses, epiphytes, and flowering plants that are crucial for the Puffleg's survival.
Behavior: Golden-breasted Pufflegs are known for their rapid and agile flight. They feed on nectar, using their specialized bills to access flowers. They are also known to consume small insects and spiders, which provide essential proteins. These hummingbirds are often seen hovering in front of flowers or perching quietly on branches. They are solitary except during breeding season or when feeding in areas with abundant floral resources.
Breeding: The breeding behavior of the Golden-breasted Puffleg is not extensively documented, but like many hummingbirds, they likely build small cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers, moss, and lichen. These nests are placed on branches or in sheltered locations. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs and caring for the young. Clutch size is two eggs, which are white and oval-shaped.
Conservation Status: The Golden-breasted Puffleg is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
The Golden-breasted Puffleg is endemic to Colombia, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its distribution is along the Andean regions of the country, particularly in the central and eastern mountain ranges. Not found in northern Colombia. These areas offer the high-altitude cloud forest ecosystems that the species requires.
Taxonomy
The Golden-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis mosquera)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Eriocnemis
- Species: Eriocnemis mosquera
Vocalization
The Golden-breasted Puffleg is a species of hummingbird found in Colombia and Ecuador. The Golden-breasted Puffleg is known for its vibrant plumage and rapid flight, but its vocalizations are not as well-documented as those of some other bird species.
If you are interested in its vocalizations, you might consider looking for field recordings or studies focusing on hummingbirds in its native habitat for more detailed information. Birdwatching apps and websites that feature bird calls might also have recordings available.
