Mountain Velvetbreast

Mountain Velvetbreast

Lafresnaya lafresnayi

Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
at Cajas National Park
128 Verified sightings at Cajas National Park From 2019 to 2026
747 Verified sightings across all 6 parks From 2019 to 2026
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Mountain Velvetbreast

The mountain velvetbreast (Lafresnaya lafresnayi) is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The mountain velvetbreast is the only member of its genus. Seven subspecies are recognized:

L. l. liriope Bangs (1910) L. l. longirostris Schuchmann, Weller & Wulfmeyer (2003) L. l. greenewalti Phelps & Phelps Jr (1961) L. l. lafresnayi Boissonneau (1840) L. l. saul Delattre & Bourcier (1846) L. l. orestes Zimmer, JT (1951)

L. l. rectirostris Berlepsch & Stolzmann (1902) In the early 20th century at least one author treated L. l. liriope and L. l. saul as separate species. The mountain velvetbreast is 11.5 to 12 cm (4.5 to 4.7 in) long including its 2.7 to 3.2 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in) bill. It weighs 4.5 to 6.3 g (0.16 to 0.22 oz). Males have a thin decurved black bill whose length and curvature vary among the subspecies. The female's bill is less curved than the male's and also varies geographically. All subspecies have a white spot behind the eye.

Adult males of the nominate subspecies L. l. lafresnayi have grass green upperparts. Their throat... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Cajas National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
~20%
2 Los Nevados National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
~10%
3 Puracé National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
~10%
4 Chingaza National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
<5%
5 Podocarpus National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
<5%
6 Farallones de Cali National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
<5%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Mountain Velvetbreast in Cajas National Park?

About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Velvetbreast sighting in Cajas National Park, based on 128 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Mountain Velvetbreast in Cajas National Park?

January has the highest sighting rate for Mountain Velvetbreast in Cajas National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Cajas National Park