Gorgeted puffleg


The gorgeted puffleg is a hummingbird endemic to Colombia. This species was discovered in 2005, and confirmed as a new species to science in 2007. It faces the risk of extinction, and therefore a status of Critically Endangered has been recommended. The only known habitat is the cloud forests of the Serranía del Pinche, in the West Andes. The habitat is threatened by clearing forest for agriculture, especially coca farming.
The gorgeted puffleg measures between 90 and 100 millimeters in length. The name of the species is in relation to the gorget on the throat of the male, a patch of iridescent green and brilliant blue feathers, and from the puffs of white feathers at the thighs.