Introduction
The Chiribiquete Emerald (Chlorostilbon olivaresi) is a small hummingbird endemic to Colombia. It is restricted mainly to the isolated Serranía de Chiribiquete in the departments of Caquetá and Guaviare, where it occupies distinctive scrub and adjacent forest habitats on the range’s tepui-like mesas.
Physical Description
The Chiribiquete Emerald is approximately 8.4 cm long and is notably large compared with several closely related emerald hummingbirds. Its bill is straight and moderately robust.
Adult males have predominantly metallic green plumage, with a relatively duller crown, green upperparts and strongly bluish-green colouring across the breast. The wings and tail are darker, producing a noticeable contrast during flight.
Females are less brightly coloured. They are metallic bronze-green above and pale greyish below, with a dusky face and a pale stripe behind the eye. The tail is mostly blue-green, with darker markings and pale or whitish tips on the outer feathers. Juvenile and subadult birds are less well documented, but younger individuals may show less intense adult plumage and retain temporary bill corrugations.
Range and Habitat
The species is endemic to Colombia and has a very restricted distribution in the Serranía de Chiribiquete, an isolated mountain range spanning parts of Caquetá and Guaviare. The known range is centred on the middle and upper levels of the range, rather than the surrounding lowland forests.
It is associated chiefly with open, nutrient-poor scrub and savanna-like vegetation on the mesas, as well as nearby forest edges, clearings and low forest around the bases of cliffs. Field observations and collecting records indicate that it can occur at approximately 250 to 600 metres above sea level, but it appears to avoid the extensive lowland forest surrounding the mesas.
The Chiribiquete Emerald is regarded as a resident species. No regular long-distance migration has been documented, and the species is currently treated as monotypic, with no recognised subspecies.
Where to See This Species
The only confirmed protected area regularly associated with the species is Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park. However, Colombia’s national parks authority currently lists the park as closed and states that it has no ecotourism vocation. Visits are not promoted because of the need to protect its ecosystems, cultural heritage and Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. Access for research and monitoring requires prior coordination with the relevant authorities.
As a result, no conventional publicly accessible birdwatching venue can currently be recommended for seeing the Chiribiquete Emerald. Birders should not attempt to enter the park independently or treat research expeditions as general wildlife tours.
Behaviour and Diet
The Chiribiquete Emerald is active during the day and feeds mainly on nectar. It visits flowering plants in scrub, forest edges and nearby forest, probably moving between flowers as resources become available. Like other hummingbirds, it can supplement its nectar intake with small arthropods, which provide protein and other nutrients.
The species is capable of hovering while feeding and may defend profitable flowers or feeding areas. Males are expected to be more territorial than females, although detailed observations of territorial behaviour remain limited because the species occurs in a remote and difficult-to-access region.
Species-specific breeding information is scarce. Observations and specimens examined during early expeditions suggested that breeding activity began around late November or December and may have continued into the first part of the following year. No active nest was found during the original field studies, so details of nest placement, clutch size and parental care remain poorly documented.
Identification Tips
- Look for a relatively large emerald hummingbird in open scrub or nearby forest on the mesas of the Serranía de Chiribiquete.
- The male shows an overall metallic green appearance with a distinctive bluish-green breast and a comparatively dull crown.
- The female is paler below, with a dusky face, a pale stripe behind the eye and a blue-green tail with pale outer tips.
- The straight, moderately robust bill and restricted range are useful identification clues.
- Related emerald hummingbirds can be difficult to separate by appearance alone. Location is especially important, because the Chiribiquete Emerald is confined to the Chiribiquete region and is not expected in the surrounding lowland forests.
Conservation Status
The Chiribiquete Emerald is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its distribution is highly restricted and detailed information on its population size and long-term trend remains limited.
Its principal conservation advantage is that much of its known range lies within Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park, a very large protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s remote setting and restricted access help protect its specialised habitat. Nevertheless, habitat loss and fragmentation around the wider region, including pressure from colonisation and land clearance near the park’s margins, remain relevant conservation concerns. Continued habitat protection, careful monitoring and further field research are important for confirming the species’ full distribution and population status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Chiribiquete Emerald live?
It is endemic to Colombia and is mainly known from the Serranía de Chiribiquete in Caquetá and Guaviare. It occupies open scrub, savanna-like vegetation and nearby forest on the range’s isolated mesas.
Is the Chiribiquete Emerald found throughout the Amazon rainforest?
No. Although it occurs in the Amazonian region of Colombia, its known distribution is highly localised. It is associated with the Serranía de Chiribiquete and is not considered a widespread lowland rainforest hummingbird.
What does the Chiribiquete Emerald eat?
Its main food is nectar from flowering plants. It also takes small arthropods, which provide additional nutrients.
Is the Chiribiquete Emerald migratory?
It is generally treated as a resident species. No regular long-distance migration has been documented.
Can visitors see the Chiribiquete Emerald in the national park?
The park is not promoted as a public ecotourism destination and is currently listed as closed by Colombia’s national parks authority. Access is restricted and research visits require official coordination.
What is the conservation status of the Chiribiquete Emerald?
The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its protected habitat provides important security, but its restricted range and limited population data make continued monitoring necessary.
References
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- Gary Stiles, The Wilson Bulletin, 1996
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
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