Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Rufous-gaped Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri)
Name Origin:
The genus Urochroa comes from the Greek oura meaning “tail” and chroa meaning “color,” referring to its tail pattern. The species name bougueri honors Pierre Bouguer, a French mathematician and geophysicist who participated in early expeditions to South America.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.0–7.5 g (0.21–0.26 oz)
🌎 Range: Western Colombia and Ecuador
🧭 Elevation: 800–2,100 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane and foothill forest, particularly along edges and clearings
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini (a.k.a. “brilliants”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.
Species Overview
The Rufous-gaped Hillstar is a distinctive and uncommon hummingbird of humid Andean foothills. Despite its name, the “rufous gape” is subtle and often hard to see. This species is best known for its combination of a large, heavy body, curved bill, bronzy-green plumage, and pale bluish tail. It often forages at low and mid-level flowers, especially along forest borders.
Male Description:
Dusky green upperparts, whitish-buff underparts with green wash on flanks, dark decurved bill with faint rufous gape, and pale blue-gray tail with dark central feathers.
Female Description:
Similar to the male but generally paler below, with more grayish tones on the breast and less bronzy iridescence overall.
Habitat & Behavior:
Typically found along forest edges, in clearings, and in secondary growth near humid montane forest. It forages deliberately, often clinging to flowers or hovering while feeding. Unlike smaller hummingbirds, it is less territorial and more solitary in behavior. Its slow, looping flight is characteristic of the species.
Conservation Note:
Though not common, the Rufous-gaped Hillstar is relatively widespread in appropriate habitat across western Colombia and Ecuador. It is somewhat tolerant of degraded habitat and secondary growth. Currently classified as Least Concern, but local declines could occur with continued deforestation in Andean foothills.
