Green-throated Mango

Green-throated Mango (Anthracothorax viridigula)

Name Origin:
The genus Anthracothorax comes from Greek anthrax meaning “coal” and thorax meaning “chest,” referring to the dark breast typical of many mango hummingbirds. The species epithet viridigula combines Latin viridis (“green”) and gula (“throat”), highlighting the male’s emerald throat.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 10.5–12.5 cm (4.1–4.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6.0–8.5 g (0.21–0.30 oz)
🌎 Range: Northeastern Venezuela, the Guianas, northern Brazil, and Trinidad
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 500 m (0–1,600 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Mangroves, lowland forest edge, and savanna with scattered trees
🧬 Clade: Polytminae (Mangoes)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no recognized subspecies.

Species Overview

The Green-throated Mango is a large, distinctive hummingbird of coastal and lowland tropical habitats in northeastern South America. Males are instantly recognizable by their deep green throats and narrow black belly stripe. The species prefers humid open landscapes with tall flowering trees and is often seen perched in the canopy or visiting blooms in mangrove and savanna areas.

Male Description:
Metallic green upperparts and throat, with a black central stripe running from chest to belly. The tail is long and purplish with dark blue tips, especially on the outer feathers. The bill is long, slightly curved, and black.

Female Description:
Upperparts are bronzy-green, underparts are white with a bold black central stripe. Tail feathers have white tips. Females lack the full green throat of males but may show green flecking. Juveniles resemble females but often have rufous tones on the flanks.

Habitat & Behavior:
Found in lowland habitats near water, including mangroves, moist savanna, and forest edge. Often perches high in trees and feeds from large flowering trees like Erythrina and Inga. It also hunts insects by aerial hawking. While largely sedentary, some seasonal movement may occur locally in response to flower availability.

Conservation Note:
Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Although its population may be declining slightly, the species remains widespread and locally common across its range. It is generally tolerant of lightly disturbed areas but may be sensitive to extensive mangrove clearing and conversion of coastal savannas.