White-bellied Woodstar

White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant)

Name Origin: The genus name Chaetocercus is derived from the Greek chaite meaning "hair" or "mane" and kerkos meaning "tail," referring to the wispy tail feathers in males of some species. The species name mulsant honors Étienne Mulsant, a French entomologist and ornithologist.

Quick Facts

🯦 Length: 6.5–7.5 cm (2.6–3 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~2.5 g (0.09 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes from western Venezuela through Colombia to northern Peru
🛍️ Elevation: 1,000–3,000 m (3,280–9,840 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Montane forest edges, gardens, and shrubby clearings
🧬 Clade: Mellisugini “Bees”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

No recognized subspecies. The species is monotypic, distributed along the eastern and western slopes of the Andes in northern South America.

Species Overview

The White-bellied Woodstar is a tiny, fast-flying hummingbird often mistaken for a large bee due to its size and flight style. Found along Andean slopes, it thrives in forest edges and semi-open habitats where flowering plants are abundant. Though diminutive, this woodstar is active and agile, darting quickly between blossoms in search of nectar.

Male Description

The male has iridescent green upperparts, a shining violet-purple throat, and a clean white belly. A contrasting dark mask surrounds the eyes, and the tail is deeply forked and dark, sometimes appearing paddle-shaped in flight. Its buzzing wingbeat and hovering flight resemble an insect.

Female Description

Females are more subdued, with green upperparts, a pale buff throat and breast, and a white belly. The tail is shorter and more rounded than the male's, with white tips to the outer feathers. A faint white postocular stripe is also present.

Habitat & Behavior

White-bellied Woodstars are most often seen at mid to high elevations, flitting between flowers along forest edges, in secondary growth, and near gardens. They are solitary and often overlooked due to their size and fast movements. Their flight is bee-like, with rapid wingbeats, and they tend to forage lower than many larger hummingbirds. Males often give insect-like buzzing calls from perches or while hovering.

Conservation Note

This species is currently listed as Least Concern and appears to be stable across its range. Its adaptability to altered habitats such as gardens and degraded forests helps buffer it from the worst effects of deforestation. However, its reliance on montane ecosystems means ongoing habitat loss could pose future risks.

taken in Colombia

taken in Peru