Veraguan Mango
Anthracothorax veraguensis
Rather large hummingbird with a slightly decurved bill, extremely similar to Green-breasted Mango, and range overlap is not perfectly understood. Apparently Veraguan Mango mostly replaces Green-breasted from the Osa Peninsula to Panama City. Male is entirely green with dark purplish tail. Look for blue stripe running down the center of throat and breast (not black like Green-breasted Mango). Females have white underparts with dark greenish line running down the center; nearly identical to Green-breasted Mango. Juveniles have orange bordering the white underparts. Found in habitats including forests, second growth, gardens, and mangroves.
Identification
The Veraguan mango is a medium-sized hummingbird species, reaching lengths of 11–12 cm. Both sexes are metallic green with a slightly decurved, dark grey beak, and black tail feathers with a red circle central to each feather. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males have a blueish breast and belly, whilst females have a white-cream belly with a dark teal stripe running down the breast. The morphology of the Veraguan mango is very similar to that of the Green-breasted mango, however it differs by the lack of black plumage on the throat. The black ventral stripe seen in the Green-breasted mango is teal coloured in female Veraguan mangos.
Taxonomy
Due to its similar morphology and overlapping distributions, the Veraguan mango was considered conspecific with the Green-breasted mango and was included in the species Anthracothorax prevostii. It was described as its own species, Anthracothorax veraguensis due to morphological differences such as the lack of black plumage on its underside. An analysis of the Trochilidae found that within the genus Anthracothorax, A. prevostii and A. veraguensis are indeed sister species.
- Scientific name
- Anthracothorax veraguensis
- Authority
- Reichenbach, 1855
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Anthracothorax
Range and habitat
The species is named for the region it was first discovered in, Veraguas Province in Panama. However, it is common throughout much of the Pacific coastline of Panama and into Costa Rica. Until recently it was considered endemic to Panama, but has now been sighted in the southern Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica. In 2009 it was added to the official list of birds of Costa Rica. Like other hummingbird species, the Veraguan mango feeds on nectar and invertebrates. It has been observed feeding on the flowers of Erythrina gibbosa in Costa Rica, and other species in the genus Erythrina at other locations.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its population size and population trend are not known, but are not believed to be sufficient to raise its status to Vulnerable. It is known to occupy a restricted range of approximately 57,300 km2, however this is above the criterion needed to be listed as vulnerable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Erythrocercus holochlorus
A small and colorful flycatcher with olive-yellow upperparts and yellow underparts. Found in lowland forest, mostly in the canopy. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Somewhat similar to yellow-warblers, but much smaller and found in different habitats. Similar to Livingstone’s Flycatcher, but there is very little overlap in range, and can easily be separated by the olive-green rather than rufous tail. Vocalizes frequently, giving high-pitched, chittering calls and a quick whistled song.
Mallard
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A large duck, generally common and familiar within its extensive range. Males are distinctive with iridescent green head, yellow bill, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. Found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Often in flocks, and frequently mixes with other duck species. In North America, females can be tricky to distinguish from American Black Duck, Mottled Duck, and Mexican Duck where ranges overlap. Those species are all darker-bodied than Mallard. A good view of the wing can be helpful, too: white wingbars on the leading and trailing edges of the blue wing patch are bolder on Mallard. Frequently hybridizes with those species, which can be even more confusing. Any bird with extensive white in the tail or curled feathers above the tail has some Mallard genes.
Rufous-vented Laughingthrush
Pterorhinus gularis
A large laughingthrush with a heavy black bill. Note black mask on face, yellow throat, and reddish belly. Similar to Yellow-throated Laughingthrush, but Rufous-vented Laughingthrush is bigger and darker above, with contrastingly pale feet. Extremely shy and skulking, it often moves in flocks of ten or more birds, foraging in thick undergrowth and on the ground in evergreen forests. Calls include sweet whistles and chattering.
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