Buff-thighed Puffleg

Haplophaedia assimilis

Hummingbirds · Apodiformes · Rare

The Buff-thighed Puffleg (Haplophaedia assimilis) is a rare hummingbird found in 2 countries, weighing about 5 g. The buff-thighed puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae.

Least ConcernRareEats nectarforestcup nest5 g

About the Buff-thighed Puffleg

The buff-thighed puffleg is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.

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

How to identify it

The buff-thighed puffleg is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 5 to 6 g (0.18 to 0.21 oz). It has a straight blackish bill. Adults of both sexes of the nominate subspecies are mostly dark green and have a slightly forked blue-black tail. Their namesake leg puffs are creamy buff to whitish. H. a. affinis is a darker green overall and has a bluer tail; its leg puffs are pale rufous. Juveniles are like adults with the addition of brown fringes on the feathers of the head and neck. Voice: What is thought to be the buff-thighed puffleg's song is "a repeated single strident note 'tsuk...tsuk...tsuk...'... occasionally interspersed by a double-noted 'tsi-tsuk'". It also makes "a dry rattle and some chattering notes in series."

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in July. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Buff-thighed Puffleg?
The buff-thighed puffleg is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long and weighs 5 to 6 g (0.18 to 0.21 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Buff-thighed Puffleg?
The Buff-thighed Puffleg is a tiny sized bird weighing about 5 g.
Where can you see a Buff-thighed Puffleg?
The Buff-thighed Puffleg occurs in 2 countries, including Peru and Bolivia.
What birds look similar to a Buff-thighed Puffleg?
The Buff-thighed Puffleg is most easily confused with the Hoary Puffleg and the Greenish Puffleg.
Is the Buff-thighed Puffleg endangered?
The Buff-thighed Puffleg is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Buff-thighed Puffleg for real

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