Introduction
The Green-throated Mango (Anthracothorax viridigula) is a medium-sized hummingbird of northern South America and Trinidad. It is associated especially with coastal wetlands, mangroves, river islands and other habitats where flowering plants and scattered trees provide feeding opportunities.
Physical Description
The Green-throated Mango measures approximately 10.5–12.5 cm in length. It has a long, black, slightly down-curved bill and a broad tail.
Adult males have glossy bronzy-green upperparts. The throat and much of the underparts are green, with a dark central stripe extending down the breast and belly. The tail is dark and often shows purple or bluish tones, particularly in good light.
Females are generally less strongly coloured. Their upperparts have a more noticeable coppery or reddish-bronze tone, while the underparts are largely white with a dark central stripe. The outer tail feathers have pale or whitish tips. Immature birds resemble females, although young males may show developing darker and more metallic feathers on the throat and chest.
The iridescent colours are produced by the structure of the feathers and can change markedly with viewing angle and light.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs from north-eastern Venezuela through Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana into northern Brazil. In Brazil, it is particularly associated with the Amazonian floodplain and coastal regions, with records extending eastwards to Maranhão. The original article’s reference to Colombia is not supported by the current commonly accepted range for this species.
Green-throated Mangos favour coastal habitats, mangrove forest, marshes, wet savanna, river margins, river islands and vegetation along waterways. In the central Amazon, they are particularly associated with later-successional vegetation on white-water river islands. They generally occur at low elevations, although the species may be recorded locally at somewhat higher sites.
The species is regarded as resident rather than a long-distance migrant. Local movements may occur when flowering conditions and other food resources change.
Where to See This Species
Caroni Swamp, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago
Caroni Swamp is one of the most reliable publicly accessible places to look for the Green-throated Mango in Trinidad. The species has been documented in the swamp’s mangrove channels and along mangrove edges, where boat trips provide access to suitable habitat. Search from the boat and around the mangrove margins, particularly in daylight when hummingbirds are active.
Nearby accommodation: Chaguanas and the wider central Trinidad area provide practical options including hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation. Port of Spain is another useful base for visitors combining Caroni Swamp with other Trinidad birding sites.
Anavilhanas National Park, Amazonas, Brazil
Anavilhanas National Park protects a vast archipelago of forested river islands in the lower Rio Negro. The Green-throated Mango has been documented on the park’s islands, where it uses flowering and regenerating vegetation. Visits are normally made by boat from the park’s river gateway, and sightings may require patient observation of island edges and open vegetation.
Nearby accommodation: Novo Airão is the principal gateway settlement, with lodges, guest houses, hotels and river-oriented accommodation available for visitors exploring the park.
Behaviour and Diet
Green-throated Mangos are active hummingbirds that can hover while taking nectar from flowers. Their diet also includes small insects and spiders, which provide protein and other nutrients that nectar alone cannot supply. They may catch insects in short aerial sallies or take them from vegetation.
Males can be territorial around productive feeding areas and may chase other hummingbirds or intruders. Local movements are likely to reflect changes in flowering and food availability rather than regular long-distance migration.
The female builds the small cup-shaped nest, usually using plant fibres and spider silk, with soft or camouflaging material added to the exterior. A typical clutch contains two white eggs. The female incubates the eggs, while the male does not normally share incubation duties. Nestling care is provided by the female, who feeds the young with regurgitated food including animal prey. Young birds leave the nest after roughly three to four weeks, although details may vary with conditions.
Identification Tips
- Look for a robust, medium-sized hummingbird with a long black bill and a broad tail.
- An adult male shows glossy green upperparts and a green throat, often with a dark central line through the underparts.
- A female or immature bird is paler below, with a white breast and belly divided by a dark central stripe.
- Coppery or bronzy tones in the upperparts are useful clues, especially in females.
- The outer tail feathers may show pale tips in females and immature birds.
- The related Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis) can be difficult to separate, particularly when a bird is seen briefly or in poor light. Plumage pattern, the extent of black on the underparts, tail pattern and habitat should all be considered together rather than relying on throat colour alone.
- In Trinidad, mangroves and coastal wetlands are particularly useful habitats to check, while in the Amazon the species is often associated with river islands and floodplain vegetation.
Conservation Status
The Green-throated Mango is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its global population size and population trend have not been reliably quantified.
The species occupies a broad range and remains locally regular in suitable habitats, but mangrove clearance, wetland conversion, river-island disturbance, deforestation and urban expansion may affect local populations. Protecting mangroves, floodplain vegetation, river islands and other flowering habitats is important for maintaining the feeding and breeding resources on which the species depends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Green-throated Mango found?
It is found from north-eastern Venezuela through Trinidad and the Guianas to northern Brazil, including parts of the Amazon floodplain and the northern Atlantic coast.
What does a Green-throated Mango look like?
It is a 10.5–12.5 cm hummingbird with a long black bill, bronzy-green upperparts and a broad tail. Males are green below, while females and immatures are generally white below with a dark central stripe.
What habitat does the Green-throated Mango prefer?
It favours mangroves, coastal marshes, wet savanna, river margins, floodplain vegetation and forested river islands, especially where flowering plants are available.
What does the Green-throated Mango eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders. Animal prey is particularly important during breeding because it supplies protein for developing young.
Is the Green-throated Mango migratory?
It is considered a resident species rather than a long-distance migrant. Individuals may move locally when flowering and other food resources change.
Where is the best place to see this species?
Caroni Swamp in Trinidad is a documented site in coastal mangrove habitat. In Brazil, Anavilhanas National Park is another verified location, particularly around its river islands and floodplain vegetation.
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- IOC World Bird List
- Field Guides Birding Tours
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