Anthracothorax aurulentus
The Puerto Rican Mango, *Anthracothorax aurulentus*, is a stunning medium-sized hummingbird endemic to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Males boast iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a shimmering blue-green throat and chest, and a velvety black patch on the belly, contrasting with a reddish-purple tail tipped in dusky black. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length with a long, slightly decurved black bill, they are easily distinguished. Females are similarly green abo...
Found in a variety of open to semi-open habitats, including forest edges, clearings, plantations, gardens, and urban parks. It primarily inhabits lowlands and mid-elevations up to approximately 800-1000 meters.
Primarily feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small insects and spiders. It forages by hovering at flowers and gleaning or hawking insects in flight.
The Puerto Rican Mango is a diurnal and highly territorial species, especially males who fiercely defend prime nectar sources from rivals and even larger birds. Foraging involves hovering expertly to extract nectar from a diverse array of flowering plants and hawking small insects, such as flies ...
The Puerto Rican Mango is endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is a year-round resident throughout its distribution, with no significant migratory movements. Within Puerto Rico, it is widely distributed across the main island, found from coastal lowlands up into th...
Least Concern
- The Puerto Rican Mango's scientific name, *Anthracothorax*, refers to its 'charcoal-black chest' (from Greek), describing the male's distinct belly patch. - Despite its name, which suggests a preference for mango tree flowers, this hummingbird is a generalist nectar feeder, utilizing many plant...