General Information

The Gorgeted Puffleg is a hummingbird native to the cloud forests of Bogota, Columbia. The species was discovered in 2005, but not confirmed as new until 2007. It critically faces the risk of extinction.

Physical Description

The Gorgeted Puffleg hummingbird measures between 3 and 4 inches in length. The name of the species is related to the gorget on the throat of the male, a patch of iridescent green and brilliant blue feathers, and from the puffs of white feathers about the thighs. These white tufts are characteristic of Puffleg hummingbirds. Besides being the smallest birds in the world, hummingbirds are known for their hovering ability and the ability to move their wings equally forth and back.

Diet

Hummingbirds feed on the sweet nectar of plants but will also eat tiny insects as well. In fact, many authorities think of hummingbirds as insectivorous birds that also happen to eat plant nectar. Some studies even show that, during the wintering grounds in the tropics, hummingbirds will eat far more insect matter than plant nectar.

Habitat

It was found in the mountainous area of Serrania del Pinche, and due to the bio-diverse Choco region, it is very possible that more unknown species could be discovered as well. There is a major threat to the forestry the birds live in because of the increase in cocoa fields and our slash and burn agriculture. Large tracts of forestry are destroyed to grow illegal coca crops, which is what cocaine is extracted from.

Reproduction

The male hummingbirds attract females with their excellent flying skills. The male will fly upward at top speed then catapult downward producing a U-shape and impressing the female. The female will choose the male to mate, and after, he will then mate again with other females. This promiscuous harem-system works well with hummingbirds because there are normally a lesser amount of males than females. The females will then nest in a tree with a downward sliding branch overhanging water and lay 1-2 pea sized eggs.