Gorgeted Woodstar Chaetocercus heliodor Scientific name definitions

Gorgeted Woodstars are most often found in the highlands where they inhabit glades and borders of humid forests, shaded plantations, and disturbed areas with trees. The smallest of the woodstars, the Gorgeted Woodstar has a white patch on the flank which can be seen during flight. Males have spectacular magenta throat patches which extend down to the lower neck and side of the chest. These woodstars often hover like a bee and get chased by large hummingbirds since they attempt to steal nectar from their floral territories. When they’re not foraging, Gorgeted Woodstars frequently perch by themselves on exposed twigs.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Calls while feeding and hovering include a single dry “chit”, doubled “chichit” or tripled “chichichit”. Wings make a low bee-like humming sound while hovering.