Greenish Puffleg (Haplophaedia aureliae)

Identification & Behavior: ~10.5 cm (4.1 in). The Greenish Puffleg has green upperparts. The underparts are whitish with broad and dense greenish specks giving a somewhat scaled effect. The center of the belly is whitish in some individuals. The leg tufts are snowy white.  The tail is dusky with a greenish tinge, without whitish tips. The bill is black and straight. Its range does not overlap with the similar and closely related Buff-thighed Puffleg.

Status: The Greenish Puffleg is uncommon in humid montane forest on the east slope of the northern Andes at elevations ranging between 1600-2450 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Calzadito Verdoso.

Sub-species: Greenish Puffleg (Haplophaedia aureliae cutucuensis), Schuchmann, Weller, and Heynen, 2000.

Meaning of Name: Haplophaedia: Gr. Haploos=  sheer, simple and phaidros=  brilliant, bright. aureliae: In honor of Péronne Aurélie Hénon née Favre (1814-1889) wife of French botanist and politician Dr Jacques-Louis Hénon.

See more of the Family Trochilidae