Introduction
The Spangled Coquette (Lophornis stictolophus) is a very small hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is recognised for the male’s rufous, black-tipped crest, iridescent green plumage and contrasting white rump band. The species occurs in humid forest landscapes of north-western South America and is generally associated with forest edges, clearings and flowering vegetation.
Physical Description
The Spangled Coquette is approximately 7 centimetres long. Both sexes have green upperparts and a conspicuous pale or white band across the rump. The lower rump and uppertail coverts may show a bronzy or purplish sheen.
The adult male is the more distinctive sex. It has a short, bushy rufous crest with black-tipped feathers, small rufous and iridescent green cheek tufts, an iridescent green throat and bronzy-green underparts. The central tail feathers are green, while the outer feathers are cinnamon-rufous with dark tips.
The female lacks the crest and cheek tufts. She is mainly green above, with paler underparts, a pale rufous forehead and throat, and rufous spotting or barring below. Her outer tail feathers are rufous with a dark subterminal band and pale tips. Juveniles resemble females and may show a greyer throat and less distinct colour contrast.
Range and Habitat
The Spangled Coquette’s accepted range extends from western Venezuela through eastern Colombia and Ecuador to northern Peru. Some South American taxonomic treatments also include Brazil, so published range maps can differ. Bolivia is not generally included in the species’ core modern range.
It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forest, forest edges, secondary growth, roadside clearings and other areas where flowering plants are available. In Ecuador, it has been recorded mainly at lower and middle elevations, broadly from around 200 to 1,200 metres, although local records vary. It is not known as a long-distance migrant, and available information suggests that it is principally a resident of suitable habitat.
Where to See This Species
Podocarpus National Park, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador
Spangled Coquettes have been recorded in and around Podocarpus National Park, particularly in the humid eastern foothills near the Zamora area. The Bombuscaro sector and nearby forest edges provide suitable habitat, although sightings are not guaranteed and the species is likely to be local or uncommon. Look for flowering shrubs, forest margins and clearings during the morning.
Nearby accommodation: Zamora is the practical gateway, with hotels, guest houses, lodges and self-catering accommodation available in and around town.
Copalinga Lodge and Nature Reserve, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador
This privately managed lodge and reserve near Zamora has documented Spangled Coquette records from its gardens and surrounding foothill habitat. Flowering plantings, forest edges and trails make it a more focused place to try for the species than undisturbed interior forest alone. Sightings may vary between seasons and years.
Nearby accommodation: Accommodation is available at the lodge itself, while Zamora provides additional hotels, guest houses and other small-scale lodging.
Behaviour and Diet
The Spangled Coquette is active during the day and uses its rapid, precise flight to visit flowers and defend feeding opportunities. Like other hummingbirds, it can hover while taking nectar with its specialised bill and tongue. It may also make short flights from a perch to capture small insects and spiders, which provide important protein.
Males use their crest, cheek tufts and iridescent plumage during courtship displays. Displays may include hovering, rapid movements and sudden changes of direction near a female. The species’ breeding biology remains incompletely documented. As in other coquettes, the female is expected to undertake nest construction and most parental care, but precise information on clutch size, incubation and fledging for this species should be treated cautiously.
Identification Tips
- Look for a tiny hummingbird with green upperparts and a noticeable pale or white band across the rump.
- An adult male is identified by the short, bushy rufous crest with black tips, green throat and rufous outer tail feathers.
- The female is much plainer, with a pale rufous throat, rufous markings below and no crest or cheek tufts.
- The Rufous-crested Coquette is a particularly important comparison species where their ranges meet. The Spangled Coquette generally has a bushier-looking male crest with broader, more noticeable black tips, while females can be separated by subtle differences in throat colour, body saturation and tail pattern.
- Because these hummingbirds are very small and fast-moving, the rump band, crest shape and tail colour are often more useful than overall size alone.
Conservation Status
The Spangled Coquette is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is not considered globally threatened, but the species depends on humid forest, forest edges and flowering vegetation that can be affected by deforestation, agricultural expansion, fragmentation and poorly planned development.
The population size and detailed population trend are not well documented. Protecting remaining forest, maintaining connected foothill habitat and conserving flowering vegetation in reserves and responsible wildlife-viewing areas are important conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Spangled Coquette live?
It occurs in humid parts of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, with some authorities also recognising records from Brazil. It is mainly associated with lowland and foothill forest, edges and clearings.
How large is a Spangled Coquette?
It is approximately 7 centimetres long, making it one of the smaller hummingbirds. Its tiny size and rapid flight can make it difficult to follow in the field.
How can you identify a male Spangled Coquette?
The male has a short, bushy rufous crest with black tips, small cheek tufts, an iridescent green throat, green upperparts and rufous outer tail feathers. A pale rump band is also a useful field mark.
What does the Spangled Coquette eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar from flowering plants and supplements this diet with small insects and spiders. Insects are especially important as a source of protein.
Is the Spangled Coquette endangered?
No. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern, although habitat loss and forest fragmentation remain potential local threats.
Where is a good place to look for this hummingbird?
The Zamora area of south-eastern Ecuador is one of the more practical regions to try, including Podocarpus National Park and Copalinga Lodge and Nature Reserve. Sightings remain uncertain because the species can be local and unobtrusive.
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- BirdLife International
- IOC World Bird List
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