Native to the Pacific slopes of western Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, this hummingbird occupies cloud forests and adjacent shrublands from around 1,000 ft up to about 7,000 ft elevation, though most frequently encountered near 3,000 ft on the western Andean slopes. Males range about 7–8 in long overall, with over half that length consisting of a deeply forked iridescent violet-blue tail, while females measure approximately 3.8 in and lack the elaborate tail. Weighing under 0.2 oz, they use a short straight bill to feed primarily on nectar from tubular flowers in the sub-canopy and understory and supplement with aerial insects. Males establish individual feeding territories and will defend rich flower patches aggressively against other hummingbirds. Classified as Least Concern by IUCN, population trends appear stable despite modest ongoing habitat loss. Photographed in the north-western Andes of Ecuador.