White-chested Emerald
Chrysuronia brevirostris
Small hummingbird with short, black bill and completely white underparts; found in savannas, dry forests, and disturbed habitats. Hovers at flowers like other hummingbirds. Males sing a hard, rattling trill from exposed perches beneath forest canopy. Most similar to Plain-bellied and Versicolored Emeralds, but has shorter, entirely black bill; where these species occur together, White-chested may not be safely separable from them if not seen well.
Identification
The white-chested emerald is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long. Males weigh about 4.6 g (0.16 oz) and females 4.4 g (0.16 oz). Adults of both sexes of all subspecies have a short, straight, blackish bill and the sexes are almost alike in plumage. The nominate subspecies has iridescent turquoise-green crown and cheeks and shining bronze-green upperparts that become coppery on the rump. Its central tail feathers are coppery and the outer ones bronze to copperish with blackish bars near the end of their underside. Its underside from throat to belly is white with bronze-green sides and flanks. Its undertail coverts are golden-green with white edges. The female differs from the male only by having grayish tips on the outer tail feathers. Juveniles resemble adult females with a yellowish to reddish base on their mandible.<p>Subspecies C. b. chionopectus is significantly larger than the other two subspecies but has the same plumage as the nominate. C. b. orienticola is similar to the nominate but has darker, more bronze colored, upperparts and flanks.
Taxonomy
The white-chested emerald's taxonomic history is complex. The species was previously known in succession as Amazilia chionopectus, Agyrtria brevirostris, and Amazilia brevirostris. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that Amazilia was polyphyletic. In the revised classification to create monophyletic genera, the white-chested emerald was moved by most taxonomic systems to Chrysuronia. However, BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World retains it in Amazilia. <p>The white-chested emerald has three subspecies, the nominate C. b. brevirostris, C. b. chionopectus, and C. b. orienticola.
- Scientific name
- Chrysuronia brevirostris
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1829)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chrysuronia
Range and habitat
The nominate subspecies of white-chested emerald is the most widespread. It is found in eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and extreme northern Brazil's Roraima state. C. b. chionopectus occurs only on Trinidad and C. b. orienticola only in coastal French Guiana. The species inhabits a variety of landscapes including rainforest; semi-deciduous, gallery, and secondary forests; scrublands; savanna; and some cultivated areas. C. b. chionopectus favors more open landscapes including cacao plantations. There are very few specimens or sightings of C. b. orienticola, and all are from coastal areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Most populations of white-chested emerald are thought to be sedentary but data are lacking.<p>The white-chested emerald forages for nectar at a variety of flowering plants and trees; species in at least nine families are known to be sources. In addition to nectar it feeds on insects captured by hawking from a perch or by gleaning from vegetation.<p>The white-chested emerald's breeding season includes at least December to April. It makes a cup nest of plant fibers with lichen on the outside and typically places it on a horizontal branch between 1 and 7 m (3 and 20 ft) above the ground. The female incubates the clutch of two eggs but the period is not known; fledging occurs about 20 days after hatch.<p>The white-chested emerald's song is variable but always "nasal and squeaky". Some typical phrases are described as "tsri-lee … tsri-lee ... tsri-lee", "tee-tink-tink-tink .. tsee-tink ... tee-tink-tink-tink … tsee-tink ...", or "teee-tjitjitjitjitji ..... teee-tjitjitjitjitji...".
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Papuan Hanging-Parrot
Loriculus aurantiifrons
A very small parrot of lowland and foothill wooded areas. Overall green color with black, pointed, upper bill, red rump and lower throat patch. Male has yellow forehead and a pale eye, where the female has a bluish face and dark eye. Similar to pygmy-parrots, but Papuan Hanging-Parrot has a red rump. Usually seen flying quickly overhead and its voice betrays its presence. Voice, high-pitch grating calls in flight or chattering while perched.
White-throated Rail
Dryolimnas cuvieri
A big, robust, rather colorful rail. The olive-green back, reddish underparts, and white throat are distinctive. Much less shy than typical rails, and sometimes quite tame. Found on the ground in forest, mangroves, moist scrub, marsh, and rice paddies. Quite vocal; most common call is a very loud, ringing series of rising “schweeet” notes. Larger than wood-rails, with a longer bill and a much larger white throat patch. Also larger than Madagascar Rail, with brighter coloration.
West Indian Woodpecker
Melanerpes superciliaris
A medium-sized woodpecker of drier forests including palm groves. Its strongly barred back eliminates all other species in it range except for Northern and Fernandina’s Flickers, but both flickers lack the West Indian Woodpecker’s extensively red nape and hind-crown. The barring on the back of the Northern Flicker is also far less pronounced than it is on West Indian Woodpecker. Common vocalizations include a staccato “pee-uh-uh-uh-uh…” with accent on first note, and emphatic bursts of “bluhhh, bluhhh, bluhhh,” with notes that are both harsh and slightly trilled.
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