Violet-throated Starfrontlet

En bref

  • Scientific Name: Coeligena violifer
  • Spanish Name: Inca de garganta violeta
  • Famille : Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Violet-throated Star-frontlet
  • Average Length: 11–13 cm / 4.3–5.1 in
  • Average Weight: 5–7 g / 0.18–0.25 oz
  • Envergure : N/A
  • Key Feature: Iridescent violet throat patch and long, straight bill
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore (primarily nectar), also small arthropods
  • Range: Andes of Peru and Bolivia
  • Habitat: Humid montane forest and cloud forest edges
  • Social Structure: Solitary or territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nest on a branch or in a bush
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Évolution démographique : Stable

The Violet-throated Starfrontlet (*Coeligena violifer*) is a dazzling hummingbird endemic to the cloud forests of the eastern Andes in Peru and Bolivia. Its most striking feature is the male’s iridescent, deep violet throat, which contrasts sharply with a glittering emerald-green body, a long, slightly decurved black bill, and a distinctive white postocular spot behind the eye. Named for the shimmering "starfront" on its forehead, this species also sports a forked, dark tail and, in males, a brilliant blue crown that catches the light like a jewel. Females are more subdued, with green upperparts and a cinnamon-washed belly, but both sexes share a unique, rapid, whirring flight as they hover to feed on tubular flowers, often defending rich nectar patches with aggressive aerial displays.

Faits amusants

This hummingbird engages in a peculiar "solar panel" behavior, orienting its iridescent violet throat patch directly at the sun to flash a brilliant signal at rivals or potential mates. It possesses a highly specialized, slightly curved bill that co-evolved with the corolla tubes of Andean bellflowers, allowing it to extract nectar while simultaneously pollinating the flower in a near-perfect mutualistic relationship. Males perform a unique "pendulum display," swinging back and forth in a tight U-shaped arc while emitting a high-pitched metallic trill that sounds more like a laser blast than a bird call.

Habitats et répartition

This hummingbird inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, typically at elevations between 1,800 and 3,400 meters. It is often found near streams or areas with abundant epiphytes and flowering plants, which provide nectar and foraging substrates. Its geographical range is restricted to the eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru, from Amazonas and San Martín south through Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, and into Cusco and Puno, with a disjunct population also recorded in western Bolivia (La Paz). The species prefers intact or slightly disturbed primary forest but may occasionally venture into adjacent secondary growth.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Violet-throated Starfrontlet is generally solitary, with males defending small feeding territories rich in flowering plants, which they aggressively patrol against conspecifics and other hummingbirds. Mating is a brief, aerial affair with no pair bond formed; the male performs a high, arcing display flight to court females, who then select a mate. After copulation, the female solely constructs a small cup nest of moss and plant fibers, often on a sheltered branch or cliff ledge. She lays two white eggs and incubates them for about 15–18 days, then feeds the chicks regurgitated nectar and small arthropods. No unique reproductive strategies beyond typical hummingbird polygyny and female-only parental care are documented, though the species’ reliance on high-altitude Andean forests may influence its breeding season to align with peak floral blooms.

Alimentation

The Violet-throated Starfrontlet (Coeligena violifer) is a hummingbird with a specialized diet centered on nectar from a variety of Andean flowering plants, particularly those with long, tubular corollas such as species of *Fuchsia*, *Salvia*, and *Bomarea*. It uses its long, slightly curved bill to extract nectar while hovering, and interestingly, it often forages in the understory or at mid-levels of cloud forests rather than at the canopy. Unlike many hummingbirds, it is known to supplement its sugary diet with a notable amount of small arthropods, including insects and spiders, which it catches by gleaning from leaves and bark or by short aerial sallies. This protein intake is especially critical during breeding season to support egg production and chick growth. Additionally, the starfrontlet demonstrates a degree of dietary specialization, showing a strong preference for plants in the genus *Fuchsia* where available, and it has been observed repeatedly visiting the same individual flowers along a regular feeding route, a behavior known as trap-lining.

Couleurs

The male Violet-throated Starfrontlet has a glittering emerald-green body, a deep violet throat patch, and a brilliant blue star-like forehead spot. Its long, slightly decurved black bill and white postocular spot are distinctive. The female is duller with a green-spotted white throat and buffy underparts, lacking the male's iridescent throat. No specific camouflage adaptations are noted; its bright colors are typical for high-altitude Andean hummingbirds.