Spangled Coquette Lophornis stictolophus Scientific name definitions

Very rare in parts of its range, the bee-like Spangled Coquette is usually seen foraging at the top of flowering trees. It there frequently steals nectar from the flower territories of larger hummingbirds. This species is quite small and very similar in appearance to the Rufous-crested Coquette (Lophornis delattrei). The rufous crest of the male Spangled Coquette is bushy rather than spiky, and is speckled with black dots. Females exhibit whiter throats. Spangled Coquettes are generally found at lower elevations than are the Rufous-crested and inhabit edges of humid forests, dry scrubby areas, and clearings.

6·4–6·9 cm. Very similar to L. delattrei. Male has short straight bill, red, tipped black; forehead and crest rufous, crest feathers slightly shorter than in L. delattrei, broader, distal tips blackish , appearance of crest more bushy; rest of upperparts bronzy-green with white band across rump , lower rump and uppertail-coverts purplish-bronze; throat glittering green, cheek tufts not as conspicuous as in other congeners, rufous with broad iridescent green distal band; throat subtended by some white pointed feathers, rest of underparts bronzy-green; tail double-rounded, central pair of rectrices green, remainder cinnamon-rufous, tipped black. Female lacks crest and tufts, forehead dull cinnamon-rufous, upperparts similar to male; throat whitish with large rufous spots, belly cinnamon often with some green discs; tail rounded, central pair of rectrices green, rest cinnamon basally, all with blackish subterminal bar, tips buff. Immature resembles adult female but throat greyish.

W Venezuela (W Coastal Range; locally in Andes) S through E Colombia and E Ecuador to N Peru (Marañón Valley).

No specific data available but possibly feeds on nectar of similar flowers as L. delattrei, including Inga, Lantana, Verbenaceae and Myrtaceae. Takes arthropods in the air by hawking.

Mostly silent. A high, sharp “tsip” when feeding. When hovering, wings make a low bee-like humming sound.