Species profile
About this species
The Rufous-crested Coquette is a small, ornate hummingbird found in South America, notable for the male's striking rufous crest & elongated green-spotted neck plumes. The male displays vivid iridescent green plumage on the throat & upper parts, while the female is more subdued with a buffy-rufous colouration on the head. This diminutive species is one of the smallest hummingbirds, measuring only around 7 cm in length.
The Rufous-crested Coquette inhabits humid montane forests, forest edges, & scrubby clearings at elevations typically ranging from 500 to 2000 metres across western South America, including Peru, Bolivia & Ecuador.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Rufous-crested Coquette with us in Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after sunrise offer the best light & activity, as coquettes are most actively feeding at this time. The dry season months between May & October tend to provide clearer skies & more predictable bird behaviour in their range.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wing beats, which can exceed 60 beats per second, & position yourself near flowering plants the bird regularly visits. A telephoto macro lens in the 100-400mm range works well for capturing fine plumage detail while maintaining enough distance to avoid disturbing the bird. Set up near known feeding sites early in the morning & pre-focus on a frequently visited flower to improve your chances of a sharp, well-composed shot.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Rufous-crested Coquette
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.
