It is apparently tied to elfin forest-timberline-páramo habitats and adjacent tall humid forest. It is deemed rare in pasturelands and young secondary forests, although can be found feeding on primary forest edges and treefalls inside forests (Fundación ProAves in litt. 2020).  It breeds from 2,950 m to 3,450 m (Cortés et al. 2020). At 3,500 m it was seen feeding on insects in the Ericaceae-clad canopy of elfin forest. The species has also been recorded (albeit rarely) at elevations of 1,800 m but are considered to be non-breeding birds (Fundación ProAves in litt. 2020). Stomach content analysis has shown that it feeds on parasitic wasps, spiders and dipterans; presumably in addition to nectar. Very little is known about its habits and breeding ecology.

This species has a very restricted range. Known for more than 50 years only from the 1951 type specimen, Coeligena orina was rediscovered in 2004 (Krabbe et al. 2005), and is now known from a dozen additional sites in four subpopulations: Páramo de Frontino (type locality here was considered threatened; Krabbe et al. 2005), Farallones de Citará, Jardín and Tatamá Natural National Park in north-west Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2014, del Hoyo et al. 2020).  The combined area of all potentially suitable sites is thought to be less than 25 km². Most observations are additionally thought to originate from a single location at Colibri del Sol ProAves Reserve in Antioquia, where it was rediscovered in 2004 and subsequently granted full protection (Cortés et al. 2020). Colibri del Sol ProAves Reserve and Tatamá Natural National Park are thought to be key sites for the remaining viable populations (Fundación ProAves in litt. 2020). The species's global population is unlikely to exceed 2,500 mature individuals.

Conservation Actions Underway
Considered Endangered at the national level in Colombia (Renjifo et al. 2014). The species is found in Tatamá National Park. In the Antioquia region, the species occurs in three reserves that have been created to protect the hydrology in the Cordillera Occidental: Cuchilla Jardin-Tamesis, Farallones de Citara and Alto de San Jose-Cerro Plateado. In 2005, the Dusky Starfrontlet Bird Reserve (Colibri del Sol ProAves Reserve) was established by Fundacion ProAves, protecting over 5,000 acres of humid montane forest to páramo on the Páramo de Frontino (P. Salaman in litt. 2007). The Hummingbird Conservancy has established the Mesenia reserve in southwest Antioquia (Mazariegos 2008). There are proposals by National Parks Administration (UAESPNN) and Municipality of Urrao to extend Las Orquídeas National Park to encompass adjacent Páramo de Frontino. However, the benefit such a designation would have is questionable as the park is currently poorly protected and under great pressure from colonists.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue surveys to research the species's range, population size, ecology, and trends. Support the proposed expansion of Las Orquídeas National Park, and the Dusky Starfrontlet Reserve in the Páramo de Frontino. Establish a management plan for Páramo de Frontino and Dusky Starfrontlet Reserve. Lobby for the adequate protection of Las Orquídeas National Park. Mobilise funds to facilitate law enforcement within the National Park and extensions to it. Monitor further recordings of the species across the Western Andes (Fundación ProAves in litt. 2020).