Hummingbird species

Common name: Gorgeted Puffleg
Scientific name: Eriocnemis isabellae

A new species of hummingbird discovered almost by accident in Colombia by two ornithologists Alexander Cortés-Diago and Luis Alfonso Ortega.The bird has an enlarged, bi-coloured iridescent throat patch (hence ‘Gorgeted’) in males and white tufts above the legs which are characteristic of ‘Puffleg’ hummingbirds. This species was discovered in 2005, but not confirmed as new until 2007. It faces the risk of extinction, and therefore a status of Critically Endangered has been recommended. Its only known habitat, the cloud forests of the Serrania del Pinche (Choco region), is under threat by agriculture, especially coca farming. The Gorgeted Puffleg measures between 90 and 100 millimeters (3.5 to 4 inches) in length. The name of the species is in relation to the gorget on the throat of the male, a patch of iridescent green and brilliant blue feathers, and from the puffs of white feathers at the thighs.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Trochiliformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eriocnemis
Species: E. isabellae

Category: Bird Description