Species profile
About this species
The Coppery-bellied Puffleg is a small hummingbird found in the Andes of Colombia & Venezuela, notable for its striking iridescent coppery-orange underparts. It is characterised by the fluffy white leg puffs typical of puffleg species, which contrast vividly against its colourful plumage. This species inhabits cloud forest edges & shrubby areas at high altitudes, where it feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants.
High-altitude cloud forests & forest edges in the Andes of Colombia & Venezuela, typically found between 2000m & 3000m elevation, favouring areas with abundant flowering shrubs & epiphytes.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Coppery-bellied Puffleg 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
Mid-morning hours between 8am & 11am tend to offer the best activity levels & soft light. The dry season months from December to March generally provide clearer skies & more predictable weather in the Andean cloud forest habitat.
Position yourself near flowering shrubs or feeders where the bird regularly forages, as this allows you to pre-focus & anticipate its movements. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the iridescent plumage. Overcast lighting conditions can help reduce harsh reflections on the metallic feathers, revealing the full coppery colour of the belly.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Coppery-bellied Puffleg
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.