Species profile
About this species
The Glowing Puffleg is a small, brilliantly coloured hummingbird found in the Andes of Colombia & Ecuador. The male displays striking iridescent green & blue plumage with distinctive white fluffy leg puffs, giving the species its common name. It inhabits cloud forest edges & shrubby vegetation at high altitudes, feeding primarily on nectar from tubular flowers.
High-altitude cloud forests & forest edges in the Andes, typically found between 2500 & 3500 metres elevation in Colombia & Ecuador, favouring areas with dense shrubby vegetation & abundant flowering plants.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Glowing 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
Early morning hours shortly after dawn offer the best light & activity levels. The dry season months between June & September tend to provide clearer skies & more stable conditions in the Andean cloud forests where this species resides.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats, which can exceed 50 beats per second. Position yourself near flowering plants known to attract the species & pre-focus on a favourite perch or bloom to anticipate the bird's return. Shoot in the early morning when light is soft & the birds are most active, using a telephoto lens of at least 300mm to maintain a respectful distance without disturbing natural behaviour.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Glowing 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.