The blue-tailed emerald is a hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in tropical and subtropical South America east of the Andes from Colombia east to the Guianas and Trinidad, and south to northern Bolivia and central Brazil.
Region
Northern South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs east of the Andes from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and much of northern to central Brazil, reaching south to northern Bolivia; also on Trinidad. It inhabits lowland and foothill areas, favoring forest edges, second-growth, gallery forests, savanna woodlands, and mangroves. Common in human-modified settings including gardens, parks, and plantations. Often follows flowering cycles in shrublands and along rivers. Frequently visits Heliconia, Inga, and other tubular or brushy flowers, and will use nectar feeders where available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny hummingbird is named for the male’s shimmering blue tail set against glittering emerald-green plumage. Females are more subdued with grayish underparts and a neat white post-ocular stripe. Males aggressively defend flower patches, while females alone build a small cup nest and rear the young. It readily visits gardens and feeders across much of northern South America and Trinidad.
A one-week-old blue-tailed emerald in its nest
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; agile hovering
Social Behavior
Outside of breeding, individuals are mostly solitary and defend rich flower sources with vigorous chases. Courtship involves aerial pursuits; the female builds a tiny cup nest from plant down and spider silk on a low horizontal branch. Clutches are typically two eggs, and the female incubates and cares for the young without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and dry tseet notes, often given while foraging. Males may add brief, wiry trills during interactions. The rapid wing buzz is audible at close range.
Plumage
Male is glittering emerald-green with a distinctly blue, slightly forked tail; throat and breast bright green. Female has green upperparts, gray to whitish underparts, bluish tail with white tips, and a clean white post-ocular stripe. Both sexes have a slender, straight bill and iridescent sheen that shifts with light.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a wide array of flowering shrubs, vines, and trees, favoring tubular blossoms. Supplements nectar with small arthropods captured by hawking or gleaning from foliage and flowers, providing essential protein. It tracks blooming cycles and may shift locally to exploit seasonal floral resources. Will visit hummingbird feeders where available.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, riparian corridors, gardens, and secondary growth where flowers are abundant. Often feeds at low to mid-levels but will also work canopy blossoms when available.
