The male hummingbird has a green forehead and purple iridescence along the sides of its neck, which is bordered by white on both sides. They take nectar from the flower tube while hovering, rather than by cutting the base or side of the stem. While defending nectar plants, Lucifers will sometimes capture small insects for food. This is probably because the insects are both more visible and more abundant in the early morning light. Reproduction Lucifer hummingbirds do not form pair bonds and are probably polygamous, although the male does display with a mating dance at nests.
Most displays occur during nestbuilding and egglaying.
Display consists of the male flying back and forth between two perches, a vertical flight followed by a powerful spiraling dive towards the female, ending with erratic lateral flight. Copulation has yet to be observed. Breeding season is known to last from April to August. They also often go on specific flycatching flights. Males defend nectar plants against all conspecific hummingbirds, as well against black-chinned hummingbirds.