Velvet-purple Coronet

Description:

The Velvet-purple Coronet is a particularly beautiful large hummingbird of humid forest along the pacific slope of the Andes in northwest Ecuador (occasionally south to El Oro province), and southwest Colombia. The Velvet-purple Coronet can appear all dark in low light, but glows magnificently when seen well; with a black hood and an irridescent blue-purple body with green to the coverts and large white patches in the outer rectrices. Though unique enough in plumage, the Velvet-purple Coronet has the curious habit of holding its wings straight up for a brief moment after perching, showing its chestnut axillaries. This species is attracted to hummingbird feeders, but can also be seen foraging on flowers at or near the canopy of primary forest, tall secondary forest, and forest edges. (Cornell)