Brown Violetear

The Brown Violetear is a large, dusky hummingbird found at middle elevations across both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically between 400 and 1,600 meters in humid forest and tall second growth. Though patchily distributed, it is locally common and often detected by its persistent “chit” calls, especially at loose leks where males sing from high perches. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population is large but slowly declining, likely due to habitat degradation. Feeding on nectar and insects, it is notably aggressive at feeders and nests in small cups saddled on low twigs, with both sexes resembling each other in plumage but males sporting a more prominent violet cheek patch.