Emerald-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis aline)

Identification & Behavior: ~9 cm (3.5 in). The Emerald-bellied Puffleg is overall green. It has a white breast and emerald green iridescent belly and undertail coverts. The female is similar to the male but slightly duller. Both sexes have prominent white leg tufts. It may resemble a Sapphire-vented Puffleg, but is distinguished by the irregular white patch on the breast, iridescent green belly and undertail coverts, and green tail.

Status: The Emerald-bellied Puffleg is uncommon in interior and the edges of montane forests on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1650-2400 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Calzadito de Vientre Esmeralda.

Sub-species: Emerald-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis aline dybowskii), Taczanowski, 1882.

Meaning of Name: Eriocnemis: Gr. Erion= wool knēmis=  boot, legging. aline:  In honor of Lady Aline Louise Jackson née Cooper wife of English ornithologist and colonial administrator Sir Frederick Jackson.

See more of the Family Trochilidae