[3][5][6] However, the North American Classification Committee of AOS and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World retain them in the older genus Calliphlox.

[8] At least in Colombia, the purple-throated woodstar breeds at higher elevations and moves to lower ones outside that season.

[8] The purple-throated woodstar forages for nectar high in flowering trees such as those of genera Cordia and Inga.

In addition to feeding on nectar the species captures small arthropods by hawking from a perch.

It builds a tiny cup nest of fine fibers and spiderweb on a thick branch of a tall tree, typically 8 to 12 m (26 to 39 ft) above the ground.

[1] It is considered uncommon to locally common and appears to depend on native trees for nectar.