description Gorgeted puffleg Overview
The gorgeted puffleg is a critically endangered species of hummingbird endemic to the cloud forests of the Serranía del Pinche in the Western Andes of Colombia. First discovered in 2005 and officially described as a new species in 2007, the bird belongs to the Eriocnemis genus, known for having distinctive fluffy white feathers on their legs. Males are characterized by a highly iridescent purplish-green gorget and a dark blue vent. Its restricted range and ongoing habitat loss severely threaten its small, localized population.
help Gorgeted puffleg FAQ
Where can the gorgeted puffleg be found in the wild?
It is known only from the Serranía del Pinche in Colombia's Cauca department. Its extremely restricted cloud-forest range is one reason the species is considered critically endangered.
When was the gorgeted puffleg discovered?
The hummingbird was encountered by scientists in 2005 and formally described in 2007. Its scientific name is Eriocnemis isabellae.
Why is it called the gorgeted puffleg?
The name refers to its colored throat patch, or gorget, and the conspicuous white feathering around its legs. Those leg tufts are characteristic of hummingbirds in the genus Eriocnemis.
What threatens the gorgeted puffleg?
Its survival depends on a very small area of Andean cloud forest vulnerable to clearing and habitat degradation. Published assessments have estimated only several hundred mature birds, although the exact population is difficult to measure.
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