Mountain Velvetbreast
Lafresnaya lafresnayi
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusLafresnaya
- SpeciesLafresnaya lafresnayi (Mountain Velvetbreast)
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 →
Recent sightings of Mountain Velvetbreast in Los Nevados National Natural Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Los Nevados National Natural Park
Shining Sunbeam
Aglaeactis cupripennis
Great Sapphirewing
Pterophanes cyanopterus
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Eriocnemis mosquera
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Coeligena lutetiae
Viridian Metaltail
Metallura williami
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
Chalcostigma herrani
Buffy Helmetcrest
Oxypogon stuebelii
Tyrian Metaltail
Metallura tyrianthina
Sparkling Violetear
Colibri coruscans
Tourmaline Sunangel
Heliangelus exortis
Black-thighed Puffleg
Eriocnemis derbyi
Purple-backed Thornbill
Ramphomicron microrhynchum
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 | |
| 2 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 3 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 4 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 5 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 6 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mountain Velvetbreast in Los Nevados National Natural Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Velvetbreast sighting in Los Nevados National Natural Park, based on 428 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mountain Velvetbreast in Los Nevados National Natural Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Mountain Velvetbreast in Los Nevados National Natural Park in our monthly data.