Canivet's emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua to northern Costa Rica. It favors semi-open habitats such as dry and semi-humid woodland, scrub, forest edges, plantations, and gardens. Typically avoids dense interior rainforest but thrives in second growth and edges where flowers are abundant. Frequently visits ornamental plantings and hummingbird feeders in settled areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, glittering hummingbird of the Mesoamerican lowlands, Canivet's emerald often adapts well to human-altered habitats and visits flowering gardens and feeders. Males are intensely territorial around nectar sources, while females alone build tiny cup nests and rear the young. It is an important pollinator for many native shrubs and trees.
Temperament
territorial and agile
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with sustained hovering and darting flights
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding and foraging encounters. Males defend rich nectar sources vigorously against other hummingbirds. Females construct tiny cup nests on low to mid-level branches and lay two eggs; males do not assist with rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of high, thin chips and tsee notes given during foraging and territorial chases. Wing hum is audible at close range and intensifies during displays.
Plumage
Male shows glittering emerald-green body with a darker, slightly forked tail; female has green upperparts with pale gray-white underparts and a more modestly notched tail. Both sexes display iridescent tones that shift with the light.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from a wide variety of tubular and small blossoms, including native shrubs and trees as well as garden ornamentals. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders captured by hawking or gleaning, which provide essential proteins. Readily visits hummingbird feeders where available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, second growth, hedgerows, and flowering gardens where nectar sources are concentrated. Often forages at low to mid-levels but will move into canopy or understory depending on bloom availability.
