Species profile
About this species
The Blue-throated Starfrontlet is a striking hummingbird found in the Andes of Colombia & Venezuela, notable for the male's iridescent blue throat patch & glittering green plumage. It is a medium-sized hummingbird with a straight bill, well adapted to feeding on the tubular flowers of Andean cloud forest plants. The female is less colourful, displaying brownish-buff underparts with spotted patterning.
The Blue-throated Starfrontlet inhabits montane cloud forests & forest edges in the Andes, typically at elevations between 2000m & 3500m. It favours areas with dense undergrowth, mossy trees & an abundance of flowering plants that provide nectar sources throughout the year.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Blue-throated Starfrontlet with us in Colombia.
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 6am & 9am are ideal, when hummingbirds are most active feeding after the night. The dry season from December to March generally offers better light conditions & clearer skies in the Andean cloud forest habitat.
Position yourself near flowering plants such as bromeliads & fuchsias at forest edges, where the bird regularly feeds, allowing you to predict flight paths & pre-focuss your lens. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the iridescent plumage. A telephoto lens in the 400-600mm range combined with a tripod or monopod will help you achieve steady, frame-filling shots without disturbing the bird's natural behaviour.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Blue-throated Starfrontlet
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.