Black Inca

Colombia

Jul 17

Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei)

Name Origin:
The genus name Coeligena comes from the Latin caelum meaning “sky” and gena meaning “born,” roughly translating to “born of the sky,” in reference to the iridescent, celestial-like plumage typical of this genus. The species name prunellei honors Jean-Charles Prunelle, a French naturalist associated with early Neotropical ornithology.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 10.5–12 cm (4.1–4.7 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6–7 g (0.21–0.25 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to Colombia, Central Andes (Cordillera Oriental)
🧭 Elevation: 1,200–2,800 m (3,940–9,190 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forest and forest edges, often in the sub-Andean zone
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini "Brilliants" (mid- to high-Andean hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic species with no recognized subspecies.

Distribution: Restricted to the eastern slope of the Central Andes of Colombia, mainly in the departments of Santander, Boyacá, and Cundinamarca. Occupies humid montane and sub-Andean forest and adjacent secondary growth between 1,200 and 2,800 meters.

Species Overview

The Black Inca is a darkly iridescent hummingbird found only in Colombia’s central Andes. Its deep plumage reflects violet, blue, and green hues in sunlight, giving it a subtle brilliance that contrasts with its shadowy tones. Endemic and range-restricted, it is one of the country’s most emblematic cloud forest specialists and a key pollinator in montane ecosystems.

Male Description:
The male is predominantly dark metallic blue-black, with glossy greenish tones on the upperparts and a small white patch on the breast sides. The tail is dark blue with bronzy reflections, and the bill is straight and black. In sunlight, the plumage takes on a velvety purple sheen, especially around the head and throat.

Female Description:
The female is similar but slightly duller, with less iridescent plumage and a more grayish wash on the underparts. The white patches on the breast sides are less distinct. She tends to forage lower in the forest and spends more time in dense vegetation compared to the male.

Habitat & Behavior:
This species inhabits humid montane and sub-Andean forests, often along ridges, stream valleys, and forest edges. It feeds primarily on nectar from flowering shrubs and trees such as Palicourea, Besleria, and Clusia, and supplements its diet with small insects. The flight is strong but deliberate, with frequent perching between feeding bouts. Males are territorial, defending flowering patches and canopy gaps.

Conservation Note:
The Black Inca is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its restricted range and ongoing habitat loss from agriculture, cattle ranching, and deforestation in the Colombian Andes. The population is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Conservation priorities include the protection of montane forests in the Serranía de las Quinchas, Cuchilla de San Juan, and adjacent reserves, along with the maintenance of ecological corridors connecting fragmented habitats.