South-central Ecuador, on both slopes of Cajas Plateau west of Cuenca (Azuay).
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 2,499 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through unsustainable agricultural techniques, including widespread burning of high-Andean habitats, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Nectar, supplemented with arthropods taken in flight or from plant substrates.
Voice
A short rapid trill followed by a series of 6 high pitch descending peep's with a higher 'tippit-trree' to finish.
Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni) [XC3518]
by Jonas Nilsson from Parque Nacional Cajas, Azuay, Ecuador (song)
Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni) [XC262886]
by id from Azuay: Cajas NP (high), Ecuador (call, chase calls)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Scaled Metaltail (Metallura aeneocauda), Fire-throated Metaltail (Metallura eupogon), Coppery Metaltail (Metallura theresiae), Neblina Metaltail (Metallura odomae) and Viridian Metaltail (Metallura williami). Recently recorded as occurring sympatrically with subspecies atrigularis of Viridian Metaltail (Metallura williami) at R Mazan in Azuay (southern Ecuador), though altitudinally segregated, occurring at higher elevations. Formerly considered conspecific with Fire-throated Metaltail (Metallura eupogon), but differences in coloration, in combination with isolated distribution, support separate species status.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet