Velvet-purple Coronet
Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini)
Name Origin:
The genus Boissonneaua honors French ornithologist Auguste Boissonneau, while the species name jardini is a dedication to William Jardine, a 19th-century Scottish naturalist known for his contributions to ornithology.
Quick Facts
🦦 Length: 10–11 cm (3.9–4.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6.4–7.7 g (0.23–0.27 oz)
🌎 Range: Western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador
🪯 Elevation: 1,200–2,300 m (3,900–7,500 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Cloud forest and forest edge
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini – "Brilliants"
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic – no recognized subspecies.
Species Overview
The Velvet-purple Coronet is one of the most visually striking hummingbirds of the Andes, known for its iridescent plumage that shimmers in blues, purples, and greens depending on the light. The underparts and tail show deep violet and electric blue tones, while the upperparts are mostly dark with a bronzy sheen. It is often seen flaring its white leg tufts, a signature trait in display.
This species is highly territorial, defending flower-rich areas in cloud forest understory and edges. It feeds mainly on tubular flowers and supplements its diet with small insects. The flight is fast and direct, with a characteristic low buzzing sound.
Male Description:
Velvety black head and upperparts, iridescent purple-blue breast and belly, and a bluish-black tail. Prominent white leg tufts are visible during flight and perching.
Female Description:
Similar to male but generally duller with slightly less iridescence and more brownish tones mixed in the underparts.
Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers humid montane cloud forests and nearby secondary growth, where it forages mostly in the mid to lower strata. Often solitary and aggressive toward intruders in its feeding territory. Occasionally joins mixed-species hummingbird congregations at feeders or flowering trees.
Conservation Note:
Though it has a limited range, the Velvet-purple Coronet is locally common in protected areas and less fragmented regions of the western Andes. Its stronghold in Ecuador and Colombia includes reserves such as Mashpi and Milpe, which help safeguard its specialized habitat.
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