Western Emerald
Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus)
Name Origin: The genus name Chlorostilbon derives from the Greek chloros meaning "green" and stilbon meaning "gleaming" or "sparkling," referring to the brilliant emerald plumage of many species in this group. The species epithet melanorhynchus combines melas (black) and rhynchos (bill), referencing its dark-colored bill.
Quick Facts
Length: 8.5–9 cm (3.3–3.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~3 g (0.11 oz)
🌎 Range: Western Colombia and Western Ecuador
🛍️ Elevation: 500–2,300 m (1,640–7,545 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Forest edges, gardens, dry and humid woodlands
🧬 Clade: Trochilini “Emeralds”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus Distribution: Found in upper subtropical zones of western Colombia and into temperate zones of the Western and Central Andes of Ecuador.
Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus pumilus Distribution: Occupies lower elevations in arid and semi-arid tropical and subtropical zones of western Colombia and western Ecuador.
Species Overview
The Western Emerald is a small, vibrant hummingbird that flashes brilliant green and blue tones as it darts through forest edges and open woodlands. Found along the Andean slopes of western Colombia and Ecuador, this species thrives in a mix of habitats from humid forests to drier regions, frequently visiting gardens and coffee plantations. Though formerly considered a subspecies of the Blue-tailed Emerald, it is now recognized as a distinct species.
Male Description: The male is intensely iridescent, with glittering emerald green plumage covering the head and underparts. The back and crown shimmer with a golden-green sheen, while the tail is dark blue to bluish-green with a shallow fork. The bill is straight, short, and entirely black.
Female Description: Females are duller, with grayish underparts and green upperparts. They exhibit white postocular spots behind the eye and a slightly rounded bluish tail with pale tips to the outer feathers. The bill is slightly longer and shows a pale base to the mandible.
Habitat & Behavior: This species frequents a wide range of semi-open habitats, including forest edges, plantations, gardens, and shrubby clearings. Western Emeralds forage on nectar from a variety of flowering plants and also consume small insects. They show territorial behavior at rich flower patches and are agile, hovering feeders. Males often perch conspicuously while singing their high-pitched, buzzy calls.
Conservation Note: The Western Emerald is currently assessed as Least Concern. It remains fairly common across its range and has adapted well to some human-altered landscapes. However, continued habitat fragmentation in Andean foothill regions could pose future challenges, especially for localized populations in drier zones.
Below is the Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)
Photographed at Finca La Araucana, Valle del Cauca; 'Doña Dora', Valle del Cauca; and La Florida - Bosque de Las Aves, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies melanorhynchus, found in humid upper subtropical and temperate zones on the western slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. Males display glittering green plumage with a bluish crown and darker tail, while females are pale below with dull green upperparts and a dark, slightly decurved bill. Compared to pumilus, melanorhynchus is typically found at higher elevations and in more humid habitats, with a slightly larger body and deeper green tones.
