About the Andean Hillstar
The Andean hillstar is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Andean hillstar is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long. Males weigh about 8.8 g (0.31 oz) and females about 8.0 g (0.28 oz). Adults have a medium length slightly decurved black bill. The adult male of the nominate subspecies has drab brown upperparts. It has a shiny green gorget with a black border that separates it from the white breast and belly. The belly has a rufous stripe down its middle into the vent area. The forked tail's central pair of feathers are bronzy black; the rest are mostly white with bronzy black edges and tips on the outermost. Voice: The Andean hillstar makes "a repeated short 'tsip' or 'swit', and while chasing, "a rapid, melodious, passerine-like twittering".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-sided HillstarOreotrochilus leucopleurusThe white-sided hillstar is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 7.9 to 8.4 g (0.28 to 0.30 oz).
Ecuadorian HillstarOreotrochilus chimborazoThe Ecuadorian hillstar or Chimborazo hillstar is a species of hummingbird.
Black-breasted HillstarOreotrochilus melanogasterThe black-breasted hillstar is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long and weighs about 8.4 g (0.30 oz).
Learn the Andean Hillstar for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.