| The feathers fan out from the forewing into a gently rounded profile, while the forewing itself rises into an arching swell. |
| Both males and females have green-black specula, with pale blue patches on the forewing. |
| Apparent in flight, the speculum, or wing-patch, is dark iridescent-green, looking black at times, with white on the forewing. |
| The pulses are produced when a forewing strikes a tegular wing-coupler. |
| It is the only Canadian elfin in which the male does not have a forewing scent pad. |
| Females, juveniles, and males in eclipse plumage are mottled brown with orange legs and a green-black iridescent speculum with a blue patch on the forewing. |
