Buffy Hummingbird

Common name: Buffy Hummingbird
Scientific name: Leucippus fallax
Clades: Trochilini - Emeralds

A sun-loving specialist of arid scrublands, the Buffy Hummingbird is found in northern Colombia and northern Venezuela, where it inhabits dry forests, thorny brush, and coastal lowlands. Measuring 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in) and weighing about 3.5 to 4.5 grams (0.12 to 0.16 oz), this hummingbird stands out for its pale plumage and preference for semi-open, dry environments.

Male Description:
The male Buffy Hummingbird has pale buffy underparts, a dull green back, and a pale throat often tinged with cinnamon or buff. His head is light olive or grayish, and the tail is dark with white tips on the outer feathers. His straight, slightly reddish bill is tipped with black, ideal for nectar feeding in low vegetation and desert blooms.

Female Description:
Females are similar to males in appearance but may have slightly paler throats and more diffuse buff coloring overall. They share the same straight bill and tail pattern. Due to their overall light coloration, both sexes can appear ghostly or washed out in bright sunlight, helpful camouflage in open, dry environments.

Habitat & Behavior:
This species thrives in arid coastal scrub, desert thorn forests, and dry savannas, typically near flowering cacti and other drought-adapted plants. It forages low in the vegetation, often hovering near blooms or perching in open areas. It also consumes small insects. The Buffy Hummingbird is non-migratory but may move locally in search of food during dry seasons.