Species profile
About this species
The Violet-capped Woodnymph is a striking hummingbird native to eastern South America, particularly Brazil, Argentina & Paraguay. The male displays a vivid violet-blue crown & green throat, while the female is more subdued with greenish upperparts & whitish underparts. This species is commonly found in forest edges & gardens where flowering plants provide abundant nectar.
Forest edges, Atlantic Forest understory, secondary growth, gardens & parks with flowering plants across eastern South America, particularly in humid lowland & foothill regions.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Violet-capped Woodnymph with us in Brazil.
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 the birds are most actively feeding at this time. The austral spring & summer months from September through January coincide with peak flowering & breeding activity, increasing sighting opportunities.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in flight. Position yourself near favoured flowering plants in soft morning light to achieve well-exposed shots with a clean background. A telephoto lens of 300-500mm will allow you to maintain a comfortable working distance without disturbing the bird's natural feeding behaviour.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Violet-capped Woodnymph
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.
