It was rediscovered in 2004, in what is now the Colibri del Sol Bird Reserve, and additional specimens confirmed its identity as a species.

The male has a glittering blue-green to golden green forehead and a velvety black crown, face, and mantle.

The female's crown, face, and upper back are green with blackish tips to the feathers that give a scaly effect.

Others were collected in 2004 at nearby Las Orquídeas National Natural Park in Farallones del Citará on the Antioquia/Chocó border.

[7] The dusky starfrontlet has been observed feeding on nectar at plants of genera Aetanthus, Bejaria, Bomarea, Cavendishia, and Centropogon.

A few dusky starfrontlet vocalizations have been described, a "high-pitched wiry note becoming trill-like towards the end 'tseeririrrr', a single 'tsee' and a lower-pitched strident 'tsip'.

The high probability of future mining for gold, zinc, and copper in Páramo de Frontino poses an additional threat.