Birds
File:Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella) perched.jpg

Andean Hillstar

Andean Hillstar

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The Andean Hillstar is a widespread high-altitude hummingbird found across the central and southern Andes. Males are characterized by a green throat and an iridescent purple-blue crown, contrasting with a rufous belly.
Where to spot
Widespread in the high Andes from southern Peru through Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina. It inhabits puna and páramo grasslands, rocky slopes, and shrublands, typically between 3,500 to 5,000 meters.
How to spot
Look for its distinctive green gorget and purple-blue crown (male) as it perches on rocks or feeds on high-altitude flowers like Chuquiraga. It's often found in open, windswept areas and may allow a relatively close approach compared to other hummingbirds.
When to spot
Active throughout the day, especially when the sun is out. Observable year-round within its range.
File:Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella) perched.jpg
File:Oreotrochilus estella 1847.jpg
File:Oreotrochilus estella Gould-2.JPG
File:Oreotrochilus estella Gould.JPG
File:Oreotrochilusestella2.jpg
File:Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella) perched.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Oreotrochilus estella 1847.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Oreotrochilus estella Gould-2.JPG
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Oreotrochilus estella Gould.JPG
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Oreotrochilusestella2.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
The Andean Hillstar can enter a state of torpor at night, reducing its body temperature and metabolic rate significantly. This is a vital adaptation for surviving the extreme cold of its high-altitude habitat, where overnight temperatures can drop below freezing.
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