Ecuadorian Hillstar
Encyclopedia
The Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) is a species of hummingbird
in the Trochilidae family. It is found in grassland, scrub and stunted woodland at altitudes of 3500 to 5200 m (11,482.9 to 17,060.4 ft) (no other species of hummingbird occurs at higher altitudes) in the Andes
of Ecuador
and far southern Colombia
. Uniquely among the hillstars, the males head is mainly bluish-purple.
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
in the Trochilidae family. It is found in grassland, scrub and stunted woodland at altitudes of 3500 to 5200 m (11,482.9 to 17,060.4 ft) (no other species of hummingbird occurs at higher altitudes) in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
of Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and far southern Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Uniquely among the hillstars, the males head is mainly bluish-purple.