Because Of His Glittering Violet Purple Hood This Incredible Flying Gem Shines Just As Brightly As Any Star Meet The Ecuadorian Hillstar
He has a striking glittering violet-purple hood that stands out that much more against his white under plumage separated by a black beck band!
MEET THE ECUADORIAN HILLSTAR
The Ecuadorian hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo), is a species of hummingbird quite unlike any other hummingbirds. Big for a hummingbird, this species is about 12 cm, weighing in at approximately 8.0 g. The male has a striking violet-purple hood, bordered below by a horizontal black chest stripe. This contrasts sharply against his white under plumage which has copper spots on his sides. He is dark olive-green above with almost black outer wing feathers and central tail feathers that are blue-green.
The Ecuadorian hillstar is endemic to the Andes of Ecuador and far southern Columbia at altitudes of 11,500 to 17,100 feet. They inhabit grassland, scrub, and stunted woodland areas where they feed primarily feed on nectar, especially from the orange-flowered Chuquiragua shrub. They also eat some small insects and spiders.
WATCH THIS BIRD RIGHT HERE IN THE VIDEO BELOW:
