Introduction
The Blue-chinned Sapphire, Chlorestes notata, is a small Neotropical hummingbird found across northern and eastern South America, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. It is usually associated with forest edges, river margins, secondary growth, plantations, savanna woodland and gardens. Although predominantly green, the male shows a striking blue sheen on the chin, throat and upper breast when viewed in good light.
Physical Description
The Blue-chinned Sapphire is a small hummingbird measuring approximately 8–9 centimetres in length. Both sexes have green upperparts, a fairly short, straight bill and a dark blue tail. The lower mandible has a reddish base, although this feature can be difficult to see in the field.
The adult male has a vivid green back and rump, paler green underparts, white feathering on the thighs and a blue to blue-green sheen across the upper throat and breast. The colour is iridescent and may appear dull or almost absent when the bird is viewed in poor light.
The female is less brightly coloured. Her underparts are pale and extensively marked with green spots, while the blue throat sheen is absent or much less developed. Young birds resemble females and may show less distinct spotting and subdued iridescence.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs from Colombia and Venezuela eastwards through the Guianas to northern and eastern Brazil. Its range also includes Trinidad and Tobago, with other populations extending southwards through parts of Peru and north-western Brazil. Several geographical forms are recognised, although the limits and treatment of some subspecies vary between taxonomic authorities.
The Blue-chinned Sapphire is mainly a lowland and foothill bird, generally occurring from sea level to about 1,000 metres, although local records can extend higher. It uses humid and seasonally drier forest edges, riverine woodland, clearings, tall secondary vegetation, plantations, savanna with scattered trees and gardens containing flowering shrubs or trees. It is a resident species rather than a long-distance migrant.
Where to See This Species
Asa Wright Nature Centre, Arima Valley, Trinidad and Tobago
The Blue-chinned Sapphire is documented from the Asa Wright Nature Centre, where it has been recorded around flowering plants and along the nature trails. The centre protects rainforest and forest-edge habitat in the Northern Range, and its gardens and flowering areas can provide close views. Visitors should confirm current access arrangements before travelling, as visits may require advance booking or a day pass.
Nearby accommodation: Arima is the nearest practical town, with additional hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation available around the wider Port of Spain and Northern Range area.
Yerette, Home of the Hummingbirds, Maracas Valley, Trinidad and Tobago
Yerette is a publicly visitable hummingbird garden that lists the Blue-chinned Sapphire among the species regularly recorded at the site. Its planted gardens and concentrated flowering resources make it a realistic place to look for this otherwise easily overlooked hummingbird. Visits are generally arranged in advance.
Nearby accommodation: Tunapuna and the wider East-West Corridor provide the most practical base, with hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation. Port of Spain offers a broader range of accommodation options.
Behaviour and Diet
The Blue-chinned Sapphire is active during daylight hours and usually forages alone. It may defend a productive patch of flowers from other hummingbirds, particularly where nectar is concentrated. Individuals often perch quietly between feeding bouts, which can make them easy to overlook despite their bright plumage.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet, supplemented by small insects and other arthropods. Insects provide protein and other nutrients that are especially important during breeding. The bird visits a range of flowering plants and may feed in gardens, plantations, forest margins and riverine vegetation.
The female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the young. The nest is a small, deep cup made from plant fibres, moss and other soft materials, often with lichen or moss attached to the outside for camouflage. Reports describe clutches of two white eggs, with incubation lasting about 16 days and fledging occurring roughly 18–19 days after hatching.
Identification Tips
- Look for a small, mostly green hummingbird with a dark blue tail.
- In bright light, the male shows a strong blue or blue-green sheen on the chin, upper throat and breast.
- The reddish base of the lower mandible can be a useful supporting feature.
- Females have pale underparts covered with conspicuous green spotting.
- The species can be confused with other small green hummingbirds. A male Blue-chinned Sapphire is distinguished by its blue throat and breast, dark tail and generally larger appearance than the Blue-tailed Emerald. Females are best identified by their extensively spotted underparts.
- Plumage colour changes dramatically with the angle of the light, so a male may appear almost entirely green when viewed from the side or in shade.
Conservation Status
The Blue-chinned Sapphire is currently classified as Least Concern. It has a large geographic range and uses a variety of natural and modified habitats, including secondary vegetation, plantations and gardens. Nevertheless, deforestation, agricultural conversion, urban expansion and the loss of flowering vegetation can reduce local habitat quality.
Maintaining forest patches, river corridors, flowering trees and structurally diverse gardens can help provide feeding and nesting habitat. The species’ global population size and long-term trend are not sufficiently documented to support a precise population estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Blue-chinned Sapphire found?
It occurs from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas to northern and eastern Brazil, and also in Trinidad and Tobago. Some populations extend southwards into Peru and north-western Brazil.
What does a Blue-chinned Sapphire look like?
It is a small green hummingbird with a dark blue tail. Males have an iridescent blue to blue-green chin, throat and upper breast, while females have pale underparts marked with green spots.
What does the Blue-chinned Sapphire eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers, supplemented by small insects and other arthropods. It feeds in forest edges, gardens, plantations, secondary growth and other habitats with flowering plants.
Is the Blue-chinned Sapphire migratory?
No. It is generally considered a resident species, although individuals may move locally in response to flowering conditions and food availability.
Where is the best place to see this species?
The Asa Wright Nature Centre and Yerette in Trinidad and Tobago are documented wildlife-viewing venues where the species can be looked for around flowering plants and hummingbird gardens. Sightings are not guaranteed, so careful observation and suitable local guidance are recommended.
Is the Blue-chinned Sapphire endangered?
No. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern, although habitat loss and the removal of flowering vegetation can affect local populations.
References
- BirdLife International
- IOC World Bird List
- eBird
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