Its slightly forked tail is iridescent sky blue with a green tinge on its upper side and glittering yellow-green on its underside.

[6] The fiery-throated metaltail is found on the eastern slope of the central Andes of Peru, from just south of the Huallaga River in the Department of Huánuco south to the Apurímac River in the Department of Cuzco.

Like most of the metaltails, the species inhabits the edges of dwarf and elfin forests and páramo, moist landscapes characterized by shrubby growth and small trees.

[6] The fiery-throated metaltail is believed to be sedentary but some seasonal elevational movement is possible.

[1] It is "[p]resently not at risk due to its wide distribution and its generalized ecology...[but] may be vulnerable because of its small range" where burning of páramo to create grazing pasture is a threat.