Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
The Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus) is a captivating small hummingbird native to the humid and semi-arid regions of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Measuring approximately 7.5 to 8.5 cm (3.0-3.3 inches) in length and weighing a mere 2.5 to 3.5 grams, this species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism. The male is entirely iridescent emerald green, with a distinctive black bill and a short, forked, iridescent dark blue-black tail, making him a shimmering jewel of the forest...
Typically found in humid and semi-arid deciduous forests, forest edges, scrub, clearings, gardens, and coffee plantations, ranging from sea level up to 2,200 meters along the Pacific slope of the Andes.
Primarily feeds on nectar from a diverse array of small flowers, supplemented by small arthropods (insects and spiders) caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
Western Emeralds are diurnal and largely solitary, often encountered foraging alone. Males are fiercely territorial, aggressively defending prime flower patches from rivals and other hummingbirds with aerial chases and vocalizations. Their foraging strategy involves hovering to sip nectar from a ...
The Western Emerald is endemic to the Pacific slopes of the Andes, with its primary distribution encompassing western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. In Ecuador, it is found from Esmeraldas and western Pichincha provinces southwards, extending into the southwestern provinces. Its range continues s...
Least Concern
- The male Western Emerald's entirely black bill is a key distinguishing feature among many green-bodied hummingbirds. - Despite their small size, males are highly aggressive, often seen chasing much larger birds away from their feeding territories. - Like other hummingbirds, they have an incredi...