White-throated Mountain-gem
White-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis castaneoventris)
Name Origin:
The genus Lampornis comes from Greek lampos (“bright”) and ornis (“bird”), referencing the vivid, iridescent plumage typical of this group. The species name castaneoventris means “chestnut-bellied,” from Latin castaneus (chestnut) and venter (belly), though the most distinctive feature is its bright white throat.
Quick Facts
Length: 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~5.5–6 g (0.19–0.21 oz)
🌎 Range: Highland Costa Rica and western Panama
🛍️ Elevation: 1,500–3,100 m (4,900–10,200 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forest, cloud forest edges, and shrubby clearings
🧬 Clade: Lampornithini “Mountain-gems”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Lampornis castaneoventris castaneoventris (Blue-tailed)
Distribution: Extreme western Panama (mountains in western Chiriquí).Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda (Gray-tailed)
Distribution: Cordillera de Talamanca, southern Costa Rica.
Species Overview
The White-throated Mountain-gem is a high-elevation specialist of the Talamanca range. It is notable for its brilliant white throat, emerald green upperparts, and blue or gray tail depending on subspecies. Males display iridescent blue crowns, and both sexes show a sharp contrast between throat and breast.
Male Description:
Males have metallic green upperparts, a glittering blue crown, bright white throat, and grayish to chestnut underparts. The tail varies from blue (castaneoventris) to gray (cinereicauda). The straight black bill and prominent white postocular spot are diagnostic.
Female Description:
Females are duller with greenish upperparts, pale buffy throat, and grayish underparts. The tail is gray with white tips, and the crown lacks the male’s blue shine.
Habitat & Behavior:
This species inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, favoring edges, clearings, and second-growth. It feeds on nectar at mid- to upper levels and supplements its diet with small arthropods. Males are territorial, often perching conspicuously and chasing intruders from favored flowers.
Conservation Note:
With a stable population in extensive protected areas, the White-throated Mountain-gem is assessed as Least Concern. Continued conservation of montane forests is vital, as this species is sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation at higher elevations.
Below are individuals of the White-throated Mountain-gem (Gray-tailed) (Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda)
Photographed throughout Costa Rica
These individuals belong to the subspecies cinereicauda, found in the Cordillera de Talamanca of southern Costa Rica. It inhabits humid montane forests and adjacent clearings, usually at elevations between 1,500 and 3,100 meters. Males are identified by their vivid blue crown, sharp white throat, and gray tail, while females show muted colors and pale throats. This subspecies is locally common in highland reserves and gardens.
