Eriocnemis vestita (R.Lesson, 1839)

Size

Eriocnemis vestita, commonly known as the glowing puffleg, measures 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) in total length. Males weigh 3.3 to 7.2 g (0.12 to 0.25 oz), while females weigh 3.6 to 5.3 g (0.13 to 0.19 oz).

Bill Structure

The species has a straight, blackish bill.

Nominate Male Upperparts

For the nominate subspecies, mature males have shining dark green upperparts, with golden green coloring on the rump and uppertail coverts.

Nominate Male Throat Markings

They have a glittering purple throat patch, thinly bordered by golden green.

Nominate Male Underparts

The remaining throat area and upper breast are shining blackish green, the belly is glittering golden green, and the undertail coverts are iridescent purplish blue.

Nominate Male Distinctive Features

The characteristic leg puffs are white, and the forked tail is dark steel blue.

Nominate Female Upperparts

Females of the nominate subspecies have shining golden green upperparts.

Nominate Female Throat Markings

Their throat patch consists of a small number of bluish purple feathers set against a buffy background.

Nominate Female Underparts

The rest of the throat and the breast are buff, and the belly is grayish white; all of these areas have golden green feathers scattered across them.

Juvenile Appearance

Juvenile glowing pufflegs are similar in appearance to adult females.

Subspecies Variation Overview

The four recognized subspecies differ in pattern and markings: Subspecies E. v. paramillo matches the nominate subspecies, but lacks the golden green fringe surrounding the purple throat patch.

E. v. smaragdinipectus Male Traits

Males of E. v. smaragdinipectus have the largest purple throat patch of all subspecies.

E. v. arcosae Plumage

E. v. arcosae is similar to E. v. smaragdinipectus, but its rump and uppertail coverts are yellowish green, and this coloring extends up into the lower back.

E. v. arcosae Male Traits

Males of this subspecies also have shorter bills and a grayer belly than nominate subspecies males.

Subspecies Distribution Range

Each subspecies has a distinct geographic range in the Andes mountains.

E. v. paramillo Range

E. v. paramillo is found in the northern sections of Colombia's Western and Central Andes, mostly within Antioquia Department.

Nominate Subspecies Range

E. v. vestita (the nominate subspecies) ranges from Mérida state in northwestern Venezuela into the Eastern and Central Andes of Colombia, reaching as far south as Cundinamarca and Huila departments.

E. v. smaragdinipectus Range

E. v. smaragdinipectus occurs from the Central Andes of southern Colombia in Cauca Department, south to Cañar Province in Ecuador.

E. v. arcosae Range

E. v. arcosae is found in the Andes from Azuay Province in southern Ecuador into the extreme northern Peruvian departments of Piura and Cajamarca.

Primary Habitat

The glowing puffleg inhabits a variety of fairly open landscapes, where cloudforest edges and elfin forest are the most common habitat types.

Secondary Habitat

It also lives on brushy slopes, in overgrown pastures, and in páramo, and occurs occasionally in denser subtropical forest.

Elevational Range

Its overall elevational range is 2,300 to 4,200 m (7,500 to 13,800 ft), though most individuals are found between 2,800 and 3,500 m (9,200 and 11,500 ft).