Species profile
About this species
The Amethyst Woodstar is a tiny hummingbird found across much of South America, notable for the male's striking iridescent amethyst-purple throat patch. The species is one of the smallest hummingbirds in existence, with a short, slightly forked tail & rapid wingbeats that produce a distinctive buzzing sound. Females are more cryptically coloured with pale underparts & a rufous-washed throat.
The Amethyst Woodstar inhabits forest edges, open woodland, scrubby vegetation, gardens & savanna across a broad range of South America, from Colombia & Venezuela south to Argentina & Brazil. It is often found at low to mid elevations & adapts well to disturbed habitats where flowering plants remain abundant.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Amethyst Woodstar with us in Brazil & Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours between 7am & 10am offer the best light & highest activity levels, as the birds feed actively after cooler nights. The dry season months, roughly May to September across much of its South American range, tend to provide clearer skies & more reliable sightings near flowering shrubs.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the iridescent plumage. Position yourself near flowering plants such as small tubular blooms where the species regularly feeds, allowing for predictable & repeated photographic opportunities. A telephoto lens of 300-500mm combined with a flash diffuser can help illuminate the amethyst gorget & reveal its full colour in varying light conditions.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Amethyst Woodstar
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.