The Lesser Violetear is distributed in Costa Rica and in the Andes from Colombia south to central Bolivia and east to northern Venezuela. For a distribution map see xeno-canto.

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It is found in fairly open habitat with shrubs or trees as well as gardens and coffee plantations. It is generally at between 1,200 and 3,000 metres.

It feeds on the nectar of flowers of shrubs, herbs and trees as well as flies and gnats.

The song is a series of double notes which goes on and on... and on.