Buff-tailed x Velvet-purple Coronet (hybrid)

Back in August I took a trip to Ecuador with a youth photography group. When I was in there in Mindo, Ethan Rising and I discovered a strange looking hummingbird that seemed to show a mix of characteristics between a Buff-tailed Coronet and a Velvet-purple Coronet. I first spotted this mystery hummingbird with Ethan at a birding spot near our lodge in Mindo at some feeders. And then to our surprise we found it again at our lodge the next day. At first both of us thought this was a weird hummingbird species or an aberrant Coronet of some sort. After observing this individual very well in the field and reviewing our photos, we think this could be a possible hybrid between Buff-tailed and Velvet-purple Coronet. We came to this conclusion based on Field Marks and behaviour, as well as input from some local experts.

Description: In diffused lighting the head, chest, and belly of this bird were dark green that turned to a bright iridescent blue and sometimes even slightly purple in the right lighting. This really stood out to us. It was unlike any of the Coronets (buff-tailed and velvet-purple) we saw during our trip. The green body plumage (diffused light) was similar to that of Buff-tailed except it was distinctly darker green (vs light green of buff-tailed). The nape was dark, almost black, which gave it a kind of hooded appearance from the side. As far as I know Buff-tailed Coronets are not supposed to have any dark feathers on the head. The undertail coverts were intermediate between buff-tailed and velvet-purple. Buff-tailed typically show mostly unmarked buffy undertail coverts where as Velvet-purple show black undertail coverts. The tail when spread showed a light cream color.

San Tadeo was the first location where we found, and watched him for only a minute of two at the feeders before he flew off. There were many Velvet-purple Coronets in the area and it only interacted a couple of times with them. It didn’t even pay attention to the other hummingbird species (Sylphs, jacobins, brilliants, etc.) feeding at the time. The next day we saw the bird at Séptimo Paraiso (our lodge) where we observed him for an hour and a half. He would sit way up above the feeder station, occasionally coming down to the feeders. He seemed to be very territorial towards the only other Coronet there, a very bright (probable male) Velvet-purple Coronet. Everytime the Velvet-purple Coronet came to the feeders, the mystery hummingbird would come zooming down from above and aggressively chase it away. He never chased away any of the other hummingbird species there.

Comments are welcome!