Western Emerald
Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
Small hummingbird usually found in fairly open dry habitats or forest edges in western Ecuador and Colombia, from 600–1,800 m but locally higher in Andean valleys. Males are entirely shimmering emerald green with dark blue tail. Short straight bill. Females green above and pale gray below with dark cheek and white line behind eye. Both sexes are extremely similar to Blue-tailed Emerald but no range overlap. Otherwise unlikely to be confused given small size and plumage. Typically seen singly feeding at lower or middle levels in gardens or edges; visits feeders.
Identification
The western emerald is 10.9 to 11.4 cm (4.3 to 4.5 in) long and weighs about 2.6 g (0.092 oz). Both sexes of both subspecies have a short black bill. The nominate male has an iridescent green forehead and crown with gold highlights, a bright green face, shining bronzy green upperparts, and a steel blue tail. Its underparts are glittering emerald green, with greater iridescence and a blue tinge on the breast. It has white thigh tufts. The female has a bronzy green forehead and crown and a blackish face with a pale gray spot behind the eye. The rest of its upperparts are metallic grass green and the tail is blue-black with white tips. Its underparts are pale gray to white with a buffy tone on the throat and belly. C. m. pumilus, when treated separately, differs only by having a slightly shorter bill and a brighter crown than the nominate.
Taxonomy
The western emerald was originally described as a species and later treated as a subspecies of the blue-tailed emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus). Since the early 2000s the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society, the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), and the Clements taxonomy have again treated it as a species in its own right. However, as of 2020 BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) retained it as the C. mellisugus subspecies.<p>The IOC treats the western emerald as monotypic. The SACC and Clements recognize two subspecies, the nominate C. m. melanorhynchus and C. m. pumilus, though the SACC accepts that the latter "might not be recognizable". HBW treats melanorhynchus and pumilis as subspecies of blue-tailed emerald.
- Scientific name
- Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus
- Authority
- Gould, 1860
- Order
- Caprimulgiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Chlorostilbon
Range and habitat
The western emerald is found from the Western Andes of Colombia south into Ecuador. C. m. melanorhynchus occurs in the upper subtropical zone of Colombia and the temperate zone in Ecuador. C. m. pumilus is found at lower elevations, in the arid and semi-arid tropical and subtropical zones. In Colombia it ranges between elevations of 1,000 and 2,000 m (3,300 and 6,600 ft). In the northwestern Ecuadoran valleys it occurs between 1,500 and 2,700 m (4,900 and 8,900 ft) and mostly between 600 and 1,800 m (2,000 and 5,900 ft) elsewhere in Ecuador. It has been recorded as low as sea level and as high as 3,050 m (10,000 ft).<p>The western emerald inhabits open to semi-open landscapes such as the edges and clearings of mature forest, plantations, cultivated areas and fields, and gardens.
Behavior
The western emerald is generally sedentary but might make limited seasonal elevational changes.<p>The western emerald usually feeds at fairly low levels. Almost nothing else is known about its feeding strategy or diet because most observations are published as the blue-tailed emerald without distinguishing the subspecies.<p>The western emerald's breeding season in Colombia appears to span from January to June. As is the case with feeding, most observations of its breeding phenology are published as the blue-tailed emerald without distinguishing the subspecies.<p>The western emerald's song is "a continuous series of subdued scratchy and wheezy notes... sometimes preceded by a few introductory notes, witsitsitsi...chirr..chirr..chirr..chirr.. or tsit-trr, tsit-trr, tsit-trr, tsit-trr...." Its calls include "a soft tsip, pit, and chwep."
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-tailed Flycatcher
Myiobius atricaudus
A fairly small flycatcher with a large distribution from Costa Rica to Brazil. Like other members of the Myiobius genus, has a relatively long, dark tail and a blazing yellow rump. Extremely similar to Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, which is usually found in more mature forest and has a darker breast. Black-tailed is more likely to be found around forest edge or second growth, but there is overlap. Singles or pairs forage in the understory, often following mixed-species flocks. Often fans its tail. Listen for dry “whit” call.
Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
Dicaeum nehrkorni
A tiny, short-tailed songbird. Unmistakable male is dark with a red cap, breast spot, and rump. Underparts white, with a dark vertical line on the belly and white tufts on sides of breast. Female is gray, with red confined to rump; this color patterning is diagnostic. Juvenile resembles female, but lacks the red rump. Singles or pairs inhabit the upper reaches of hill and montane forest and forest edges. Restricted to Sulawesi. Gives thin, high-pitched “tzeet” and “kwit” call notes. Song starts with “tzeet-tzeet” phrases, then descends into a rapid warble.
Tibetan Rosefinch
Carpodacus roborowskii
Strapping long-winged rosefinch of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Male is dazzling, with a raspberry-pink body and a head the color of fine wine. Female is streaky gray-brown all over with a pale belly and yellowish bill. Like other plateau finches, forages on the ground solitarily, in pairs, or in small flocks. Found in rocky open spaces such as plateau steppes and meadows at 4500-5400 meters.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.