Buff-tailed Coronet

Boissonneaua flavescens

Hummingbirds · Apodiformes · Uncommon

The Buff-tailed Coronet (Boissonneaua flavescens) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 8 g. The buff-tailed coronet is a species of hummingbird in the 'Brilliants' tribe Heliantheini, within the subfamily Lesbiinae.

Least ConcernUncommonEats nectarforestcup nest8 g

About the Buff-tailed Coronet

The buff-tailed coronet is a species of hummingbird in the 'Brilliants' tribe Heliantheini, within the subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The buff-tailed coronet is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 7.3 to 8.8 g (0.26 to 0.31 oz). Both sexes have a short, straight, black bill and a small white spot behind the eye. Males of the nominate subspecies are mostly shining green, with a buff belly accented by green spots. The underwing coverts are cinnamon and show in flight. The central tail feathers are bronzy and the rest are buff with bronze tips and edges. It has small white tufts on the legs. The nominate female has more buff on the underparts and the bronze of the tail is less extensive. Voice: What is thought to be the buff-tailed coronet's song is "a continuous series of single high-pitched 'tsit' notes." It sometimes sings with several others of its species nearby. It also makes a "squeaky twittering, with rising piping notes and stuttering rattles," especially when interacting with other hummingbirds.

Where it lives

When to see it

The Buff-tailed Coronet can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Buff-tailed Coronet?
The buff-tailed coronet is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 7.3 to 8.8 g (0.26 to 0.31 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Buff-tailed Coronet?
The Buff-tailed Coronet is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
Where can you see a Buff-tailed Coronet?
The Buff-tailed Coronet occurs in 3 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
What birds look similar to a Buff-tailed Coronet?
The Buff-tailed Coronet is most easily confused with the Velvet-purple Coronet and the Chestnut-breasted Coronet.
Is the Buff-tailed Coronet endangered?
The Buff-tailed Coronet is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Buff-tailed Coronet for real

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