Red-billed Emerald

Overview

The red-billed emerald (Chlorostilbon gibsoni) is a species of hummingbird found in Colombia and Venezuela. It has been treated as a subspecies of the blue-tailed emerald in the past but is currently recognised as a distinct species with three subspecies.

Identification

• Males possess a straight bill with a mostly red mandible, while females have mandibles that are red at the base.
• Males of the nominate subspecies display dark bronze-green upperparts and a deeply forked blue-black tail, with glittering green to golden green faces and underparts.
• Females are shining green above with plain gray underparts, dusky cheeks, and a short white line behind the eye.
• The song consists of a continuous series of wiry trilled notes, described as 'wirrr...wirrr...wirrr...', accompanied by high-pitched penetrating 'tseeee' and reedy 'tzreee' calls.

Habitat

The species inhabits dry to arid landscapes, including desert scrublands, dry woodland, farmed areas, and parks or gardens. It is found in central, northern, and western Colombia, as well as adjoining northwestern Venezuela, typically at elevations below 500 m but occasionally occurring higher in specific regions.

Diet

The red-billed emerald forages for nectar by trap-lining, visiting a circuit of flowering trees, shrubs, and other plants. It usually feeds close to the ground on small flowers less attractive to larger hummingbirds, and it is assumed to also consume small insects.

Did you know?

A single observed nest was constructed as a downy cup with lichen on its outside, attached to a fern frond.