No other hummer better illustrates the effect of changes in the angle of light. From behind it appears all dark and blackish and could be confused with a Buff-tailed Coronet, but it is distinctly dark and not green. From the front however, the colors are breathtaking: bright blue and coppery green on the back and wings, deep violet on the belly, and purple on the crown - surely one of the most beautiful hummers in the world. The white in the tail is another good field mark, but is usually visible only when the bird flies off.

The Velvet-purple Coronet is a scarce bird at the feeders. One may appear for a few days and then disappear for weeks.