However, it has been seen feeding on the orange-red flowers of parasitic mistletoe on Alnus trees, by using its specialized bill and long, sensitive tongue to derive the nectar.

The purple-backed sunbeam is known to live in the temperate zone (2,900-3,500 m) where plant life consists of mountain shrubs and Alnus trees.

It feeds on mistletoe alders and other trees, such as Tristerix longebrachteatum, and in patches of flowering uñico, Oreocallis grandiflora.

Additional research is needed to examine the species’ ecological requirements, so that the suitability of Eucalyptus plantations can be assessed.

This result shows that the impact of flower herbivory on plant productiveness was dependent on the presence or absence of hummingbirds.

The greatest threat to the purple-backed sunbeam is the transfer of Alnus dominated shrub land to Eucalyptus plantations.

Cattle ranching, logging and firewood collecting has taken away much of the forest habitat, while oil mining is a latent future concern.

A diverse array of preservation strategies have been proposed, including strict protected area rank, sustainable conservation, and community owned nature reserves.