Because of his glittering violet-purple hood this incredible flying gem shines just as brightly as any star

He has a stunning, dazzling violet-purple hood that pops against his white under plumage, which is split by a black band!

The Ecuadorian hill star (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) is a hummingbird species unlike any other.

This species is large for a hummingbird, standing around 12 cm tall and weighing about 8.0 g.

Moreover, the male has a remarkable violet-purple hood with a horizontal black breast stripe below.

This is in stark contrast to his white under plumage, which features copper patches on his flanks.

Above, he is dark olive-green with almost black outer wing feathers and blue-green middle tail feathers.

Females have a dusty olive-green upper body and a pale neck mottled with brown dots.

Her tail is black, while the rest of her underparts are a light gray color.

The Ecuadorian hill star is found only in the Andes of Ecuador and far southern Columbia.

At elevations ranging from 11,500 to 17,100 feet.

They live in grassland, scrub, and stunted forest regions and eat mostly on nectar.

Particularly from the orange-flowered Chuquiragua plant.

They also nourish with insects and spiders.

During the mating season, which lasts almost the whole year, the female constructs a cup-shaped nest composed of braided plant fibers and green moss.

It is often constructed in a bush, shrub, or small tree. The chicks are completely fledged after around 20 days.

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