Usually found at higher altitudes, Mountain Velevetbreast is a rare vagrant to the Valley, most frequent during very dry periods. The white outer tail feathers are the most obvious feature of this species, flashing as the bird flicks its tail in flight. The only other species occurring here with white outer tails are Velvet-purple Coronet and Collared Inca, both of which are blackish, not green, and lack the curved bill of the Velvetbreast. Full-plumaged males are black below, females and immatures are speckled, with white bellies.

male	female