#gorgeted puffleg

Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae)

"HE IS WEARING PANTS!!!! I love hummingbirds they are so cute all of the time..." "How can a bird be so perfect. It’s like they have little leg warmers."

This is actually a bird that one of my irl friends submitted, and I wanted to roll on the ground when I saw the pics. He truly is wearing pants!

This species was first discovered in 2005, and officially recognized as its own species in 2007. They're listed as Critically Endangered, as their habitat is incredibly localized.

The gorgeted puffleg is known only from the Serranía del Pinche in the Western Andes of Colombia's Department of Cauca. The habitat is characterized by steep slopes of very humid cloudforest and elfin forest with rocky outcrops and natural clearings. The vegetation is dominated by Andean oak (Quercus humboldtii) with an understory of Ericaceae and several other plant families. In elevation this habitat is found mainly between 2,600 and 2,900 m (8,500 and 9,500 ft).

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Today’s bird is the gorgeted puffleg, Eriocnemis isabellae. Hummingbirds, renowned for their vibrant colors and rapid movements, have captivated nature enthusiasts for generations. Among these avian marvels, the gorgeted puffleg hummingbird (Eriocnemis isabellae) stands as a unique gem, both in terms of its exceptional appearance and the recent unveiling of its existence. Discovery and…

Gorgeted Puffleg.   (Eriocnemis isabellae)

Discovered only in 2005, the Gorgeted Puffleg is a critically endangered hummingbird. It's name comes from the beautifully-coloured gorget (throat patch), which is violet and green, and the white, fluffy plumage around the bird's legs.

The gorgeted puffleg is thought to feed on the nectar of plants and also eat insects, including small flies. This rare bird occurs only in the Serranía del Pinche of south-west Colombia.

Upon discovery in 2005, the population of the Gorgeted puffleg was estimated to be very small, due to it having only ten square kilometres or less of habitat remaining. Since then, the population is likely to have declined even further, as forest in Serranía del Pinche is being torn down at an alarming rate.