Empress Brilliant
Empress Brilliant (Heliodoxa imperatrix)
Name Origin:
The genus Heliodoxa comes from Greek helios (“sun”) and doxa (“glory”), meaning “glory of the sun.” The species name imperatrix means “empress” in Latin — a fitting tribute to this regal, radiant bird.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: 7–8 g (0.25–0.28 oz)
🌎 Range: Southwestern Colombia and western Ecuador
🧭 Elevation: 400–1,600 m (1,300–5,250 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid and wet montane forest, forest edges, and ravines
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini “Brilliants” (Andean montane hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic species — no recognized subspecies.
Distribution: Found along the western Andes of southwestern Colombia (Nariño) and western Ecuador, from Esmeraldas and Pichincha south to El Oro. Occupies humid premontane and montane forest, most frequently between 400 and 1,600 meters elevation, often along shaded ravines, streams, and forest edges.
Species Overview
The Empress Brilliant is among the most striking hummingbirds of the western Andes, named for its iridescent plumage and majestic presence. It is a relatively large species, often encountered foraging methodically at mid-level in dense forest or perching prominently between feeding bouts. Though not rare, its preference for interior forest makes it less conspicuous than many lowland species.
Male Description:
The male has vivid metallic emerald-green upperparts, a brilliant violet-blue throat and chest, and emerald-green belly and flanks. The tail is dark blue with greenish gloss, and the bill is long, black, and slightly decurved. When light strikes it, the male’s entire body glows with intense metallic hues — the effect that inspired its regal name.
Female Description:
The female is bronzy-green above, with a whitish throat and belly densely spotted with green. She lacks the male’s violet throat but retains the same elegant proportions and long, gently curved bill.
Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits humid and wet montane forests, particularly along stream corridors and forest edges. It feeds on nectar from Palicourea, Fuchsia, and Bomarea species, often visiting the same route repeatedly. The Empress Brilliant perches quietly between feeding bouts, occasionally sallying for insects. Its wingbeats are deep and resonant, and males may defend large feeding territories.
Conservation Note:
The Empress Brilliant is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains locally common across much of its range. However, habitat loss from deforestation, agriculture, and mining continues to reduce suitable forest, especially below 1,000 meters. The species benefits from protection within reserves such as Mashpi-Amagusa Reserve, Mindo-Nambillo Reserve, and Buenaventura Reserve. Sustaining forest corridors in the Chocó-Andean region will be vital for preserving this shimmering Heliodoxa jewel.
