Neblina Metaltail

The neblina metaltail is 9 to 10.5 cm (3.5 to 4.1 in) long. Males weigh about 5.2 g (0.18 oz) and females about 4.8 g (0.17 oz). It has a medium length, straight, black bill. The adult male has iridescent dark green upperparts. Its slightly forked tail is dark olive green on its upper side and shining golden green on its underside. The sides of its head and neck vary from bronzy olive to coppery bronze and its gorget is tomette. The rest of its underparts are olive bronze with a buffy spotted appearance. Its undertail coverts are bronzy green with buffy cinnamon edges. The adult female is a duller version of the male. Its throat is spotted with rosy red and the rest of its underparts are tan with heavy bronzy spotting.

The neblina metaltail is found from the northern part of Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador's Loja Province south to northern Piura and Cajamarca departments in Peru. It inhabits the edges of elfin forest and páramo, moist landscapes characterized by shrubby growth and small trees. ("Neblina" is Spanish for fog or mist.) In elevation it ranges between 2,600 and 3,650 m (8,500 and 12,000 ft) and is most common between 2,900 and 3,400 m (9,500 and 11,200 ft).

The neblina metaltail feeds mostly on nectar but details of its diet are lacking. Males defend feeding territories. In addition to nectaring, it catches small arthropods by sallies from a perch.