Species profile
About this species
The Velvet-purple Coronet is a striking hummingbird found in the western slopes of the Andes in Colombia & Ecuador. It is renowned for its brilliant iridescent plumage, featuring deep violet-purple upperparts that shimmer with a velvety sheen in direct light. The bird is a medium-sized hummingbird with a relatively straight bill & white patches on the outer tail feathers.
Velvet-purple Coronets inhabit humid montane cloud forests & forest edges along the western Andean slopes, typically at elevations between 1000 & 2000 metres above sea level in Colombia & Ecuador.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Velvet-purple Coronet 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, as hummingbirds are most actively feeding at this time. The dry season months from June to September generally provide clearer skies & better photographic conditions in their Andean cloud forest habitat.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the iridescent plumage. Position yourself near flowering plants such as Heliconia where the bird regularly feeds, allowing you to anticipate its movements & pre-focuss your shot. Shoot in bright but diffused natural light to bring out the full spectrum of iridescent colour without harsh glare washing out the violet tones.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Velvet-purple Coronet
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.