White-sided Hillstar

White-sided Hillstar (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus)

Name Origin:
The genus name Oreotrochilus comes from the Greek oros meaning "mountain" and trokhilos meaning "small bird" or "wren," referencing its high-altitude habitat. The species name leucopleurus combines leukos meaning "white" and pleura meaning "side," referring to the bird's distinctive white flanks.

Quick Facts

🯦 Length: 12–13.5 cm (4.7–5.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.5 g (0.23 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile
🛍️ Elevation: 2,500–4,500 m (8,200–14,800 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar, insects, and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Arid and open high-elevation scrub, puna grasslands, rocky slopes
🧬 Clade: Lesbiini “Coquettes”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

The White-sided Hillstar is considered monotypic; no recognized subspecies.

Species Overview

The White-sided Hillstar is a high-Andes specialist, adapted to harsh and windy environments above treeline. This hardy hummingbird is a frequent sight across puna grasslands and open rocky slopes, where it forages close to the ground and often perches low on shrubs or rocks.

Male Description:
Males are robust and mostly dark, with a greenish-bronze back and a striking purplish-black throat and face. The flanks are white, which stand out against otherwise dusky underparts. The tail is slightly forked and dark with some green gloss.

Female Description:
Females are paler, with a whitish throat and breast speckled with dusky spots. The white flanks are more conspicuous, and the upperparts are a dull bronzy green. Their tail is rounded and less colorful than the male’s.

Habitat & Behavior:
White-sided Hillstars are mostly sedentary but will move locally in response to flowering conditions. Their behavior is more ground-oriented than most hummingbirds, often feeding low to the ground. They favor tubular flowers and also glean insects. Males perform brief territorial displays and often perch conspicuously.

Conservation Note:
The species is widespread in the central Andes and is not currently facing major threats. However, changes in high-altitude ecosystems due to grazing pressure or climate change could impact local populations in the long term.

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