White-chested Emerald

Jul 17

White-chested Emerald (Chrysuronia brevirostris)

Name Origin:
The genus name Chrysuronia combines Greek chrysos (gold) and ouranos (sky), a reference to the shimmering hues typical of this group. The species name brevirostris means “short-billed” in Latin, describing one of its key field marks.

Quick Facts

🯦 Length: 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~3–4 g (0.11–0.14 oz)
🌎 Range: Northern South America and Trinidad
🛍️ Elevation: Sea level to ~500 m (1,640 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Forest edges, gardens, mangroves, and scrub
🧬 Clade: Trochilini “Emeralds”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Three subspecies:

Chrysuronia brevirostris chionopectus
Distribution: Endemic to Trinidad.
Chrysuronia brevirostris brevirostris
Distribution: Eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and extreme northern Brazil (northeastern Roraima).
Chrysuronia brevirostris orienticola
Distribution: Coastal French Guiana.

Species Overview

The White-chested Emerald is a small, bright green hummingbird named for its clean white underparts, which sharply contrast its metallic green upperparts. It thrives in a variety of lowland habitats, including coastal scrub, mangroves, and semi-open woodlands. Known for its adaptability, it also frequents gardens and flowering trees in suburban and rural areas.

Male Description:

Males have glittering green upperparts, a bright white chest and belly, and a short, straight black bill. The tail is forked and dark with slight bluish gloss. The contrast between the green plumage and white underparts is especially striking in direct sunlight.

Female Description:

Females are similar to males but duller overall. The upperparts remain green, but the underparts are more grayish-white. The tail may have slightly paler tips. Females also have a distinctive white postocular stripe behind the eye.

Habitat & Behavior:

White-chested Emeralds are generally lowland hummingbirds, often seen darting between flowers in scrubby vegetation, gardens, and forest edges. They exhibit typical hummingbird behaviors, including hovering to feed, rapid darting flight, and short, buzzy calls. They often perch conspicuously and may be aggressive around favored nectar sources.

Conservation Note:

This species remains widespread and stable throughout its mainland and island range. It adapts well to human-modified habitats, but ongoing habitat degradation in parts of its range, especially coastal regions, warrants local monitoring.

Below are individuals of the White-chested Emerald (Chrysuronia brevirostris chionopectus)
Photographed at:

Café Mariposa Gardens, Tunapuna-Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago
Yerette Home of the Hummingbird, Tunapuna-Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago

These individuals belong to the subspecies chionopectus, which is restricted to the island of Trinidad. This insular form is commonly found in gardens, forest edges, and secondary growth, particularly in the northern range of the island. Males are glittering green above with a distinct white chest and belly, while females are duller with more subdued green tones and grayish underparts. They feed on a variety of low- to mid-level flowers and frequently perch in open areas.