Gorgeted Puffleg
Eriocnemis isabellae
Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) — Hummingbirds of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 4.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Eriocnemis
- Species isabellae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4.5 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Gorgeted Puffleg is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Gorgeted Puffleg is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) belongs to the Trochilidae family of the order Apodiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA sw Colombia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 4.5 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 3.9 cm.
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 44 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Gorgeted Puffleg?
The Gorgeted Puffleg is a very small bird that weighs around 4.5 g.
Where does the Gorgeted Puffleg live?
The Gorgeted Puffleg is found across South America with a range covering SA sw Colombia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Gorgeted Puffleg belong to?
The Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Gorgeted Puffleg eat?
The Gorgeted Puffleg is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Gorgeted Puffleg migrate?
The Gorgeted Puffleg is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Gorgeted Puffleg endangered?
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
How large is the Gorgeted Puffleg's range?
The Gorgeted Puffleg has a mapped global range of about 44 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Trochilidae
Critically Endangered
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Hummingbirds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.