Coppery-bellied Puffleg
Coppery-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis cupreoventris)
Name Origin:
The genus name Eriocnemis derives from Greek erion meaning “wool” and knemis meaning “leg,” referring to the fluffy white leg tufts unique to this genus. The species name cupreoventris combines Latin cupreus (“copper-colored”) and ventris (“belly”), describing its gleaming copper underparts.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6.5–7 g (0.23–0.25 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes of northeastern Colombia and western Venezuela
🧭 Elevation: 1,800–3,200 m (5,900–10,500 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Cloud forest, elfin forest, and forest edge
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini “Brilliants” (Andean forest hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic species — no recognized subspecies.
Distribution: Found along the Eastern Andes of northeastern Colombia (departments of Norte de Santander and Boyacá) and western Venezuela (states of Táchira and Mérida). It inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, typically between 1,800 and 3,200 meters, often frequenting forest borders and flowering shrubs along streams and clearings.
Species Overview
The Coppery-bellied Puffleg is a brilliant, highland hummingbird that exemplifies the beauty of Andean Eriocnemis. Its shimmering green plumage, deep copper belly, and contrasting white leg tufts make it unmistakable. While generally quiet and elusive within forest interiors, it often visits flowering edges, especially Fuchsia and Palicourea.
Male Description:
The male has dark metallic green upperparts, a bright coppery-bronze belly, and gleaming white leg puffs. The tail is dark blue with a violet gloss, and the bill is short and straight. Under sunlight, the chest and belly reflect burnished orange or reddish tones.
Female Description:
The female is similar but slightly duller, with a less vivid copper belly and narrower leg tufts. Her throat and chest may show faint grayish mottling.
Habitat & Behavior:
This species prefers humid montane forest and forest edge, often near ravines and flowering shrubs. It feeds primarily on nectar but also catches small insects in short sallies. The Coppery-bellied Puffleg is territorial and perches conspicuously on exposed branches between foraging bouts. Its flight is strong and direct, accompanied by a low humming sound.
Conservation Note:
The Coppery-bellied Puffleg is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains locally common within its limited range. It occurs in several protected areas, including Sierra Nevada de Mérida National Park (Venezuela) and Tamá National Natural Park (Colombia). However, deforestation for agriculture and grazing in the Andean cloud forest continues to fragment suitable habitat. Maintaining continuous forest corridors between Colombia and Venezuela is key to ensuring population stability of this Heliantheini endemic.
