Glittering-throated Emerald
Glittering-throated Emerald (Chionomesa fimbriata)
Name Origin:
The genus name Chionomesa is derived from Greek chion (“snow”) and mesos (“middle”), referencing its pale underparts compared to other emeralds. The species name fimbriata means “fringed” in Latin, likely referring to the fine edging of feathers that enhances the shimmering throat iridescence.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: 3.5–4.5 g (0.12–0.16 oz)
🌎 Range: Northern and central South America
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Forest edge, secondary growth, and open woodland
🧬 Clade: Trochilini “Emeralds” (lowland and foothill hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Seven subspecies:
1. Chionomesa fimbriata elegantissima
Distribution: Northern and western Venezuela and adjacent extreme northeastern Colombia.
2. Chionomesa fimbriata fimbriata
Distribution: Northeastern Venezuela (Orinoco Basin) eastward through the Guianas to northern Brazil (north of the Amazon River).
3. Chionomesa fimbriata apicalis
Distribution: Eastern Colombia, east of the Andes.
4. Chionomesa fimbriata fluviatilis
Distribution: Southeastern Colombia and eastern Ecuador, along major river systems.
5. Chionomesa fimbriata laeta
Distribution: Northeastern Peru, including northern Amazonas and Loreto south to northeastern Ucayali.
6. Chionomesa fimbriata nigricauda
Distribution: Eastern Bolivia and central to eastern Brazil (south of the Amazon).
7. Chionomesa fimbriata tephrocephala
Distribution: Coastal southeastern Brazil, from Espírito Santo south to Rio Grande do Sul.
Species Overview
The Glittering-throated Emerald is one of South America’s most adaptable and widespread Trochilini hummingbirds. It inhabits a wide range of forested and semi-open habitats — from the Orinoco Basin and Amazonian lowlands to the coastal forests of southeastern Brazil. Its glittering green throat, contrasted with pale underparts, gives it a refined elegance and makes it one of the most recognized emeralds across tropical South America.
Male Description:
The male has bright metallic green upperparts, a brilliant emerald to golden-green throat, and grayish-white underparts that enhance the glow of the gorget. The tail is bluish-green to dark bronze, slightly forked, and often fanned while hovering.
Female Description:
The female is green above with grayish underparts and a white-tipped tail. Her throat may show faint green spots but lacks the male’s intense iridescence.
Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers forest edges, riparian zones, clearings, plantations, and urban gardens. Commonly visits flowers of Inga, Erythrina, Stachytarpheta, and Heliconia. The Glittering-throated Emerald feeds by rapid hovering and may perch between bouts to guard productive flower patches. It is an agile flyer with a soft, chipping call and is tolerant of human-altered environments.
Conservation Note:
The Glittering-throated Emerald is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains common across much of its range. Its adaptability to varied habitats — from Amazonian rainforest to urban gardens — ensures population stability despite ongoing deforestation in parts of its range. It occurs in numerous protected areas, including Serra do Mar State Park (Brazil), Yasuní National Park (Ecuador), and Kaieteur National Park (Guyana). Maintaining nectar-rich secondary forests and riparian corridors supports this resilient Trochilini species across tropical South America.
Below is the Glittering-throated Emerald (Chionomesa fimbriata fimbriata)
Photographed at Jardim dos Beija-Flores, Brasília, Distrito Federal, and Duco Place, Eldorado, São Paulo, Brazil
These individuals belong to the subspecies fimbriata, which occurs across much of central and eastern Brazil south to São Paulo. It inhabits semi-open woodland, gallery forest, savanna (Cerrado), and urban gardens from lowlands up to 1,200 meters.
