Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)
Name Origin:
The genus name Coeligena is from the Latin coelum meaning “heaven” and -gena meaning “born of,” referring to its radiant, celestial colors. The species name lutetiae honors Lutetia, the ancient Roman name for Paris, likely a nod to a French connection of the original description.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 12–13.5 cm (4.7–5.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6.5–7.5 g (0.23–0.26 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru
🧭 Elevation: 2,000–3,800 m (6,600–12,500 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Cloud forest, elfin forest edges, and high-elevation shrublands
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini "Brilliants" (Andean forest hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Subspecies & Distribution
1. Coeligena lutetiae lutetiae
Distribution: Found in the Central and Eastern Andes of Colombia, from Antioquia and Boyacá south through Huila into northern Ecuador.
2. Coeligena lutetiae albicaudata
Distribution: Occurs in southern Ecuador and northern Peru, from Loja south to Cajamarca, primarily along the Andean east slope.
Species Overview
The Buff-winged Starfrontlet is one of the most widespread Coeligena hummingbirds of the northern Andes. It is instantly recognized by its buff-colored wing patches, shining violet gorget, and deep bronzy-green body. Common in cloud forests and shrubby páramo zones, it is frequently seen hovering near Fuchsia, Bomarea, and Palicourea blossoms or perched upright on exposed branches.
Male Description:
The male has bright metallic green upperparts and underparts, a violet to blue-violet gorget, and conspicuous buffy wing patches visible in flight. The tail is dark bronze with rufous tones. The crown is slightly iridescent green, and the bill is long, straight, and black. When displaying, males hover with spread wings, revealing the buff patches that give the species its name.
Female Description:
The female is slightly duller overall, with less vivid throat coloration and paler underparts. Her buff wing patches are similar in size but less sharply defined. The tail is bronzy-green with faint rufous edges.
Habitat & Behavior:
This species inhabits humid montane forests and upper elevation scrub, typically between 2,000 and 3,800 meters. It feeds on nectar from a wide variety of tubular flowers and also takes small insects. The Buff-winged Starfrontlet is aggressive and territorial, frequently engaging in aerial chases with other hummingbirds. It often perches motionless between feeding bouts, blending with the mossy vegetation of its cloud forest environment.
Conservation Note:
The Buff-winged Starfrontlet is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains common and stable across most of its range. It adapts moderately well to secondary forest and forest edges, though deforestation at mid-elevations can locally reduce habitat quality. Continued protection of Andean cloud forest corridors is important for sustaining this radiant Heliantheini hummingbird.
Below is the Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae lutetiae)
Photographed at Hacienda El Bosque and Hotel Termales del Ruíz, Caldas, Colombia
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies lutetiae, which occurs throughout the Central Andes of Colombia south into northern Ecuador. It inhabits humid montane forest, páramo edge, and shrubby high-elevation slopes typically between 2,500 and 3,800 meters.
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