Introduction
The Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus) is a small hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is named for the male’s metallic blue, forked tail, which contrasts with his bright emerald-green plumage. The species is native to tropical and subtropical South America and also occurs on several southern Caribbean islands.
Physical Description
The Blue-tailed Emerald measures approximately 7.5–8.5 centimetres in length. It has a short, straight, black bill, dark wings and a metallic blue, usually forked tail.
Adult males are predominantly brilliant emerald-green, with darker underwings and undertail coverts. Their white thighs may be visible when the bird is perched or in flight. Females are smaller and less brightly coloured, with pale green upperparts, greyish-white underparts, a small white stripe above the eye and a dark ear patch. The female’s tail feathers have conspicuous white tips, while the male’s tail is generally more deeply blue and distinctly forked.
Juveniles resemble females but may appear duller and less sharply marked until they acquire adult plumage.
Range and Habitat
The Blue-tailed Emerald is distributed east of the Andes from Colombia through eastern Ecuador and Peru to northern Bolivia and central Brazil. Its range also includes Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and several southern Caribbean islands, including Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and Margarita Island. The species is generally considered resident rather than a long-distance migrant, although local movements may occur in response to food availability.
It favours semi-open habitats, including savannas, grasslands, cultivated areas, forest edges, secondary growth and gardens with flowering plants. It is less associated with dense forest interiors and may be locally uncommon in heavily urbanised or very dry areas. Several geographic forms are recognised, and plumage may vary subtly between regions.
Where to See This Species
Christoffel National Park, Curaçao
Christoffel National Park records the Blue-tailed Emerald as a resident bird that can be seen in the park. Flowering vegetation, scrub and semi-open woodland provide suitable feeding habitat, with the rainy season from approximately September to January often producing more flowers. Look around flowering plants and along quieter trails, while checking dry woodland edges and gardens near the park as well.
Nearby accommodation: Westpunt and Barber are the nearest practical areas for guest houses, small hotels, self-catering accommodation and holiday rentals.
Manu National Park, Madre de Dios and Cusco regions, Peru
The Blue-tailed Emerald is included on bird lists for Manu National Park. The species is most likely to be encountered in lower-elevation Amazonian habitats, including forest edges, clearings, gardens and flowering vegetation around lodges and established trails. Birding is generally most productive during the drier season, although local conditions and flowering cycles influence activity.
Nearby accommodation: Access is normally arranged from Puerto Maldonado, with eco-lodges, forest lodges and camps available along the river and within the wider Manu region.
Behaviour and Diet
Blue-tailed Emeralds are active during daylight hours and are usually seen alone. They often perch between feeding visits, conserving energy between short periods of hovering and rapid flight. Males defend feeding territories and may chase away other hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and intruding birds with swift aerial manoeuvres.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet. The bird visits a variety of flowering plants and may use a regular route between scattered sources of nectar. It also takes small insects and other arthropods, either by hawking them in the air or picking them from vegetation and spider webs. These animal foods are particularly important when adults are feeding nestlings.
Breeding varies geographically and is linked to local conditions and food availability. In Trinidad, nesting has been recorded mainly from December to May. The female builds a small cup-shaped nest from plant fibres and animal material, often incorporating spider silk and camouflage. She usually lays two white eggs and alone undertakes incubation and care of the young. Incubation lasts about 13–15 days, and young birds leave the nest at roughly 18 days or later, although they may continue to depend on the female after fledging.
Identification Tips
- Look for a very small hummingbird with a short black bill and a dark blue tail.
- Adult males are bright emerald-green overall, with a strongly contrasting blue, forked tail.
- Females are paler, with grey-white underparts, a white eyebrow-like stripe, a dark ear patch and white-tipped tail feathers.
- The species is often found in open or semi-open habitats rather than deep forest, especially around flowering shrubs, gardens, savannas and forest edges.
- Do not rely on colour alone. Iridescent green plumage can look dull or bluish in shade, while the tail shape, short bill and habitat are useful supporting features.
- In areas where several small emerald hummingbirds occur, check the bill colour, tail pattern and female facial markings carefully before reaching an identification.
Conservation Status
The Blue-tailed Emerald is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its extensive range, use of secondary vegetation and ability to feed in gardens and other modified habitats reduce its current global conservation risk. A precise global population estimate is not available.
Local populations may nevertheless be affected by the loss of flowering habitat, vegetation clearance, intensive agricultural practices and the degradation of forest edges and savannas. Protecting native vegetation, retaining flowering plants and managing gardens without harmful pesticides can provide useful local support for this species and other pollinators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Blue-tailed Emerald live?
It occurs across northern and eastern South America, mainly east of the Andes, and on several southern Caribbean islands, including Trinidad, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and Margarita Island.
What does a Blue-tailed Emerald look like?
The male is a small emerald-green hummingbird with a metallic blue, forked tail. The female is paler, with grey-white underparts, a white stripe above the eye, a dark ear patch and white-tipped tail feathers.
What does the Blue-tailed Emerald eat?
It feeds mainly on flower nectar and supplements this diet with small insects and other arthropods. Insects are especially important when adults are feeding growing young.
Is the Blue-tailed Emerald migratory?
The species is generally regarded as resident within its range rather than a long-distance migrant. Local movements may occur when flowering conditions and food supplies change.
Where is the Blue-tailed Emerald easiest to see?
It is often easier to find in flowering gardens, savannas, secondary growth, forest edges and other semi-open habitats than in dense forest. Christoffel National Park in Curaçao and Manu National Park in Peru are documented viewing locations.
Is the Blue-tailed Emerald endangered?
No. It is currently classified as Least Concern, although local habitat loss and the decline of flowering vegetation can still affect individual populations.
References
- IOC World Bird List
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- University of the West Indies, Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago
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