Introduction
The Green-breasted Mango, Anthracothorax prevostii, is a large hummingbird of tropical Central America and eastern Mexico. It is recognised for its metallic green plumage, dark central throat stripe and purplish tail. The species uses both natural and human-modified habitats, including forest edges, clearings, gardens and plantations.
Physical Description
The Green-breasted Mango measures approximately 11–12 cm in length and weighs about 6–9 g. It has a fairly long, slightly curved bill, narrow wings and a rounded tail.
Adult males are predominantly metallic green above and below, with a dark or black central stripe extending from the throat down the breast and belly. The surrounding plumage may show blue-green or bronze reflections. The tail is usually purplish or reddish-purple with darker tips, while small white feather tufts may be visible around the thighs and undertail area.
Females are less brightly coloured. They have green upperparts and mostly white underparts marked by a dusky or greenish central stripe. The outer tail feathers commonly have pale or white tips. Immature birds resemble females, although young birds may show buff or cinnamon tones around the throat and sides of the breast.
Range and Habitat
The Green-breasted Mango occurs from eastern and southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, reaching western and north-western Panama. Some older sources included populations farther south within this species, but current taxonomic treatments separate certain of those birds from Anthracothorax prevostii.
It is mainly a lowland bird, commonly occurring from sea level to about 500 metres, although it can occur locally at higher elevations in Central America. Suitable habitats include tropical and subtropical forest edges, secondary woodland, shrubland, savanna with scattered trees, gallery forest, mangroves, plantations, gardens and other open areas with flowering plants.
The species is generally resident, although northern populations can make seasonal movements. Its ability to use gardens, agricultural landscapes and other disturbed habitats has helped it persist in areas where some original forest has been altered.
Where to See This Species
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Green-breasted Mangoes are documented on Cozumel Island, including in forest and semi-open habitats associated with the national park and wider island landscape. Look along forest edges, flowering shrubs, clearings and quiet roadsides, particularly where suitable nectar plants are present. The species has been recorded on Cozumel throughout the year.
Nearby accommodation: San Miguel de Cozumel is the practical gateway, with hotels, guest houses, self-catering accommodation and other visitor facilities.
Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Palo Verde supports a mixture of dry forest, scrub, wetlands, woodland edges and open country, providing suitable habitat for Green-breasted Mango. The species has been recorded in the park area and may be found around flowering trees, wooded margins and nearby accommodation grounds. Early morning is a useful time to search, before temperatures become high.
Nearby accommodation: Bagaces and the surrounding Palo Verde area provide lodges, guest houses and other small-scale accommodation options.
Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, Bocas del Toro, Panama
The forest edges, clearings, gardens and coastal vegetation of Bastimentos Island provide appropriate habitat for this hummingbird. Green-breasted Mango has been recorded in the national park area, where observers should check flowering plants and semi-open vegetation around settled areas and accessible forest margins.
Nearby accommodation: Bocas Town on Isla Colón is the main gateway, offering hotels, guest houses, lodges and self-catering accommodation, with boat access to Bastimentos.
Behaviour and Diet
The Green-breasted Mango is active during the day and usually forages alone. It flies rapidly between flowers and often hovers while feeding. Individuals may defend productive flowering plants or feeding areas from other hummingbirds and can be assertive when competing for nectar.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet. The bird also takes small insects and spiders, which provide additional protein, particularly during the breeding period. It may capture insects in flight or pick them from foliage and other surfaces.
Breeding activity varies geographically and is often associated with periods of increased flowering. The female builds the nest alone, usually placing a small cup of plant fibres and other fine material on a branch or in a shrub. Spider silk may be used to bind the nest and allow it to expand. A clutch normally contains two eggs, and the female incubates the eggs and feeds the young without assistance from the male.
Identification Tips
- Look for a relatively large hummingbird with a slightly curved bill and fast, powerful flight.
- Adult males are mainly metallic green, with a dark central stripe through the throat and breast and a purplish tail.
- Females are green above but largely white below, with a darker central stripe and pale tail tips.
- The Green-breasted Mango is considerably larger and heavier-looking than many small emerald hummingbirds.
- The Black-throated Mango can appear similar, but the Green-breasted Mango typically shows a more extensive green breast and a distinctive purplish tail. Range is also useful because the two species overlap less in many regions than their appearance might suggest.
- On Cozumel, compare it with the smaller Cozumel Emerald. The Green-breasted Mango has a longer, more curved bill and a larger, darker appearance, while the Cozumel Emerald has a shorter bill and a generally neater pale underpart pattern.
Conservation Status
The Green-breasted Mango is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its broad distribution, use of modified habitats and generally secure overall population prevent it from qualifying for a threatened category at global level.
Nevertheless, local populations may be affected by forest clearance, habitat fragmentation, loss of flowering plants, pesticide use and degradation of breeding habitat. Maintaining native vegetation, protecting forest edges and reducing unnecessary pesticide use can benefit this and other nectar-feeding birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Green-breasted Mango live?
It occurs from eastern and southern Mexico through much of Central America, reaching western and north-western Panama. It is most frequent in tropical lowlands and foothills.
What does a Green-breasted Mango eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar from flowers, supplemented by small insects and spiders. It may take insects in flight or glean them from vegetation.
How can you identify a male Green-breasted Mango?
The male is a large metallic green hummingbird with a dark central stripe through the throat and breast, together with a purplish tail.
Are Green-breasted Mangoes migratory?
The species is generally resident, although some northern populations make seasonal movements, probably in response to local conditions and food availability.
Where is the best place to see a Green-breasted Mango?
Documented viewing locations include Cozumel in Mexico, Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica and Bastimentos Island National Marine Park in Panama. Search flowering plants, forest edges, clearings and gardens during daylight hours.
References
- BirdLife International
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds of the World
- Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad
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