Bird Philodice mitchellii

Purple-throated Woodstar

Philodice mitchellii

Biological Facts

Best time to see Year-round; peak activity between December and March during mass flowering.
Habitat Cloud forest edges and clearings between 1,000 and 2,400 meters above sea level.
Diet Nectar from tubular flowers (Ericaceae) and small insects caught in mid-air.
Size and Weight Length: 7 cm; Weight: Approximately 3 grams.
Ecological Role Key pollinator for high-mountain plants inaccessible to larger hummingbirds.
Conservation Status Least Concern (IUCN); stable but sensitive to deforestation.
Complex Behaviors Erratic bee-like flight; males perform high-speed diving displays to defend territories.

About this Species

The Purple-throated Woodstar (Philodice mitchellii) is a minute and spectacular hummingbird found in the humid montane forests of the Chocó-Andean region. Often mistaken for a large bumblebee due to its diminutive size and extremely rapid wingbeats, this species is a true "jewel" of the cloud forest canopy. In Mindo, Ecuador, it is a prized sighting for birdwatchers, frequently seen darting between flowering shrubs.

  • Sexual Dimorphism: The male is easily identified by his iridescent violet-purple gorget (throat) and deeply forked tail, while the female possesses buffy-orange underparts.
  • Identification: Both sexes display prominent white patches on the sides of the rump, which are highly visible during flight.
  • Niche: They are specialized foragers, often "traplining" between specific nectar sources like Ericaceae and Gesneriaceae.

Sightings Map

0 recorded observations