Chestnut-breasted Coronet

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Boissonneaua matthewsii
  • Spanish Name: Colibrí pechicastaño
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Colibrí Pechicastaño, Matthews's Coronet
  • Average Length: 11.5–12 cm / 4.5–4.7 in
  • Average Weight: 7.4–8.3 g / 0.26–0.29 oz
  • Wingspan: 14–16 cm / 5.5–6.3 in
  • Key Feature: Rich chestnut-colored breast and underparts contrasting with glittering green upperparts, and a habit of holding its wings raised for a few seconds immediately upon landing
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore (primarily), Insectivore
  • Range: Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
  • Habitat: Humid montane forests, canopy, and forest edges (1,200–3,300 m elevation)
  • Social Structure: Solitary, highly territorial and aggressive
  • Nesting/Breeding: Cup-shaped nest made of moss and lichen on a tree branch
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The **Chestnut-breasted Coronet** (*Boissonneaua matthewsii*) is a striking and highly active hummingbird native to the humid cloud forests of the Andean slopes in South America. True to its name, this medium-sized bird is easily recognized by its rich, glowing chestnut-rufous breast and belly, which contrast beautifully with its glittering metallic-green upperparts and throat. Perhaps its most endearing and unique characteristic is its post-landing ritual: immediately upon perching, the coronet holds its wings vertically above its back for a brief second before folding them away. Known for its spirited and territorial nature, this dazzling pollinator frequently dominates nectar feeders and flowering trees, making it an exceptionally captivating and feisty presence in its misty mountain habitat.

Fun Facts

Immediately upon landing, this hummingbird performs a signature "victory salute" by holding its wings vertically over its back for a brief second before folding them away. Despite its charming looks, it is a fierce territorial bully that frequently chases away much larger birds from feeding sites. To save precious energy, it often clings directly to flowers or hangs completely upside down to feed rather than hovering, and it is a notorious "nectar robber" that will pierce the base of tubular flowers to steal a drink without doing any of the pollination work.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is native to the humid eastern slopes of the Andes in South America, with a geographical range spanning from southern Colombia through Ecuador to Peru. It is primarily found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 meters above sea level, occasionally reaching up to 3,000 meters. Within this montane range, it inhabits the canopy and borders of wet subtropical and temperate forests, cloud forests, and dense secondary growth. It is also commonly observed in forest clearings, shrubby areas, and gardens where flowering plants and epiphytes are abundant.

Behaviours & Reproduction

This highly territorial hummingbird is generally solitary, aggressively defending rich nectar sources from both rivals and other species. It is well-known for a distinctive post-landing behavior, where it briefly holds its wings vertically above its back for a second or two before folding them. Outside of the breeding season, individuals maintain separate feeding territories, exhibiting no cooperative social structure. The species follows a polygynous mating system, with males performing aerial courtship displays to attract multiple partners, after which they offer no parental care. The female is solely responsible for reproductive duties; she constructs a small, cup-shaped nest using moss, lichens, and spider webs, usually positioned on a horizontal branch. She typically lays a clutch of two white eggs, incubating them and rearing the chicks entirely on her own.

Diet

The Chestnut-breasted Coronet (*Boissonneaua matthewsii*) sustains itself primarily on nectar obtained from brightly colored, tubular flowers—particularly those of the Gesneriaceae, Ericaceae, and Lobeliaceae families—while supplementing its diet with small insects and spiders caught in mid-air or gleaned from foliage for essential protein. A fascinating aspect of its feeding strategy is its preference for perching on flowers while feeding rather than hovering, an energy-saving tactic that is less common among other hummingbird species. Additionally, this highly territorial bird aggressively defends its rich nectar sources from other feeding competitors. Intriguingly, immediately after landing to feed, it briefly holds its wings vertically above its back for a few seconds, a unique behavioral quirk highly associated with its foraging visits.

Colors

The Chestnut-breasted Coronet is distinguished by its rich, fiery chestnut breast and underwing coverts, which contrast vividly with its metallic green upperparts and glittering green crown. Its tail is bronzy-green with rufous inner webs, creating a striking combination of shimmering green and warm rufous that provides excellent disruptive camouflage within the dappled light of its montane forest habitat.