Eriocnemis – Pufflegs

These birds are commonly called pufflegs because of the thick tufts of feathers that wrap around their legs like little pom-poms. They live high in the Andes, where the air is thin, and the weather can change quickly, often in humid mountain forests, woodland edges, and shrubby highlands. Even by hummingbird standards, they’re eye-catching: many males gleam green, coppery, or blue like living jewels, while females are usually more muted, as if they’re dressed for blending into mossy branches and shadowy leaves.

What makes them stand out from many other hummingbird groups is the combination of that dramatic leg “puff” look with other shared traits. Most have a straight, dark bill and a tail that’s often slightly to deeply forked, giving them a sleek, agile silhouette when they dart between flowers. The leg tufts aren’t just a fashion statement—many people think they help with warmth at chilly elevations, and they certainly make these birds instantly recognizable when they hover. Several species also show a vivid accent patch on the underside toward the rear, flashing bright blue, purple, or coppery-red when they pivot in midair. It’s like a built-in highlight that appears and disappears with every turn.

As a genus, Eriocnemis is closely tied to Andean life, ranging across multiple countries along that mountain spine. The Andes are a “vertical world,” and pufflegs often separate themselves by altitude and habitat: one species might favor cool cloud forest, another may prefer forest edges, and another may be more at home in higher, shrubbier zones. That means two pufflegs can live fairly close on a map yet rarely meet, because they occupy different layers of the mountains. Their daily routine is the hummingbird classic—fast metabolism, constant refueling, and bursts of hovering at nectar-rich flowers—mixed with quick insect snacks for protein. You can think of them as tiny engines that run all day and need frequent “fuel stops.”