The central tail feathers are very short and green; the outer ones are longer, blackish brown, and curve inwards.

Their tail is short and slightly graduated with green central feathers; the outer ones are black with buff bases and wide white tips.

However, the male sheartail has two elongated white feathers in its tail, while the female tends to have a whiter belly and a more buff throat than the woodstar.

[8][10] The Chilean woodstar is now (2022) known only from the Lluta, Azapa, and Vitor valleys of far northern Chile's Arica and Parinacota Region.

[8][5] The Chilean woodstar inhabits scrub, thickets, and gardens along river valleys of the arid Arica area.

[8][1] The Chilean woodstar feeds on nectar from a variety of native and introduced flowers, shubs, cacti, and trees.

In addition to nectar, the woodstar feeds on small insects such as Hymenoptera, Homoptera and Coleoptera that it catches on the wing.

It has a greatly restricted area of occupancy of about 6,220 km2 (2,400 sq mi) and an estimated population of only 210 mature individuals or about 300 total.

[1][8] Habitat loss is the main threat to the Chilean woodstar, with only small patches of suitable native vegetation remaining due to increased conversion to agriculture.