Introduction
The Peacock Coquette (Lophornis pavoninus) is a small hummingbird of the family Trochilidae. It is restricted to tepui country in northern South America, where it inhabits humid montane forest, cloud forest, forest edges and clearings. The species is especially notable for the male’s elongated, iridescent cheek tufts.
Physical Description
The Peacock Coquette is a very small hummingbird, measuring about 9.7 centimetres in length. Both sexes have a short, straight black bill, green upperparts and a slightly forked tail with purplish-bronze tones.
The adult male has a glittering golden-green head crossed by a narrow black central line. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of elongated, shining green cheek tufts, each ending in a prominent blackish-blue spot. A rufous patch and small pale mark near the eye add further contrast. The rump has a noticeable white band, while the underparts are greyish green.
The female lacks the elongated cheek tufts. She is more subdued, with golden-bronze upperparts, a pale band across the rump, a white throat marked with dark streaks and mottled black, white and green underparts. Her tail is greyer than the male’s and has pale tips on the outer feathers. Immature birds resemble females.
Two subspecies are generally recognised. Lophornis pavoninus pavoninus has the wider known distribution, while L. p. duidae is associated with Cerro Duida and nearby tepuis in southern Venezuela. The latter differs subtly in the width of the crown stripe and the extent of the rufous facial marking.
Range and Habitat
The Peacock Coquette occurs in Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. Its distribution is highly localised and centred on the tepuis and associated highland forests of the Guiana Shield. Recorded areas include the Mount Roraima region, Sierra de Lema, Cerro Ptari-tepui and the Merumé Mountains. The subspecies L. p. duidae is restricted to Cerro Duida and nearby smaller tepuis in Amazonas, Venezuela.
It uses humid montane forest, cloud forest, forest interior, edges and natural clearings, generally from about 500 to 2,000 metres above sea level. It is not regarded as a long-distance migrant, although local or nomadic movements have been suggested in parts of Sierra de Lema. Much of its habitat is remote and remains relatively little disturbed.
Where to See This Species
Canaima National Park, Bolívar, Venezuela
Canaima National Park includes extensive tepui landscapes and humid montane forest in the known Venezuelan range of the Peacock Coquette. Records from the park and the Sierra de Lema area make it one of the most realistic publicly accessible destinations for searching for this species. Look in forest edges, clearings and flowering vegetation, particularly in suitable upland habitat.
Nearby accommodation: Santa Elena de Uairén is the main practical gateway, with guest houses, hotels, lodges and tour-base accommodation. Access to remote areas normally requires an organised local expedition or guide.
Mount Roraima, Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil
Mount Roraima is a documented locality for the species and is protected within major conservation areas on the surrounding tepui plateau. The approach passes through forest and montane habitats where the Peacock Coquette may be encountered before the higher exposed plateau is reached. Sightings are not guaranteed, and access is physically demanding and usually arranged through authorised trekking operators.
Nearby accommodation: Santa Elena de Uairén in Venezuela is the principal gateway for the classic approach, offering hotels, guest houses, lodges and expedition camps. On the Brazilian side, Uiramutã and Boa Vista provide more limited gateway accommodation and travel services.
Behaviour and Diet
The Peacock Coquette usually forages alone, although small groups may gather where food is concentrated. It searches for nectar in the forest canopy and around flowering plants, using hovering flight to feed. Small arthropods are also taken, probably by gleaning them from leaves and other vegetation, and provide an important source of protein.
Like other hummingbirds, it can manoeuvre rapidly through dense vegetation and defend profitable feeding areas from rivals. The species is considered mainly sedentary, but local movements may occur in response to flowering conditions.
Breeding information is limited. The female is responsible for nest construction and care of the young. The nest is a small cup suspended from a horizontal branch, usually around two metres above the ground. The clutch normally contains two eggs. Reported incubation lasts approximately 13 to 14 days, with fledging occurring about 20 days after hatching. The breeding season is not well documented.
Identification Tips
- Look for a tiny hummingbird with a short black bill, green upperparts and a white band across the rump.
- An adult male is distinguished by the long green cheek tufts with conspicuous dark terminal spots.
- The male’s glittering golden-green head, central black crown line and purplish-bronze tail are useful supporting features.
- Females and immature birds lack the cheek tufts and appear more mottled, with a pale throat and greyer tail.
- The species is most likely to be encountered in upland forest, cloud forest edges and clearings associated with tepuis.
- Do not confuse a female or immature Peacock Coquette with other small green hummingbirds solely from a brief view. The combination of range, habitat, rump band, tail pattern and, in males, the distinctive cheek tufts is more reliable than colour alone.
Conservation Status
The Peacock Coquette is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its population size and long-term trend have not been reliably quantified. The species has a restricted distribution, but much of its tepui habitat is remote, relatively intact and protected within national parks and other conservation areas.
Potential threats include habitat alteration, fire, mining, infrastructure development and changes in flowering patterns associated with climate change. Continued protection of tepui forests, careful management of tourism and improved monitoring of remote populations are important conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Peacock Coquette found?
It occurs in Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela, mainly in the tepui highlands and adjacent montane forests of the Guiana Shield.
What does the Peacock Coquette look like?
It is a very small green hummingbird. The adult male has long iridescent green cheek tufts ending in dark spots, while the female is more subdued and lacks these tufts.
What does the Peacock Coquette eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar and also takes small arthropods, probably by gleaning them from foliage.
Is the Peacock Coquette migratory?
It is considered mainly sedentary. Local or nomadic movements may occur in some areas, particularly where flowering conditions change.
Where is the best place to see a Peacock Coquette?
Canaima National Park and the Mount Roraima region are among the most realistic destinations because both lie within documented parts of its range. Access to suitable habitat is remote and sightings are never guaranteed.
Is the Peacock Coquette endangered?
No. The species is currently classified as Least Concern, although its population size and trend remain uncertain and its restricted habitat still requires protection.
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- IOC World Bird List
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds of the World
Related posts
