The copper-rumped hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela, and possibly Grenada.
Region
Southern Caribbean and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely on Trinidad and Tobago and along the coastal and northern regions of Venezuela, including nearby islands such as Margarita; it has been reported sporadically on Grenada. It favors forest edges, second growth, gardens, plantations, and mangroves, avoiding dense interior forest. The species readily exploits ornamental plantings and flowering hedges in towns and villages. It often forages from the understory up to mid-canopy and will use feeders where available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This glittering green hummingbird is named for its distinctive coppery rump and is one of the most common hummers on Trinidad and Tobago. It is assertive around flowering shrubs and feeders, often chasing away rivals. Both sexes look similar, and they readily visit gardens in human-dominated landscapes. The rapid wingbeats produce a noticeable hum as it hovers to feed.
A. t. tobaci in flight, Tobago
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and swift darting
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and aggressively defends nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Breeding involves a tiny cup nest placed on a horizontal branch or sheltered twig, often in gardens or forest edge. The female alone incubates two eggs and cares for the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp chips and dry tsik notes, with fast twittering sequences during chases. Males give persistent, buzzy call series from exposed perches. The wing hum is audible at close range.
Plumage
Glossy green head, throat, and breast with bronzy-green upperparts and a distinctive bright coppery rump; underparts green with slight bronze sheen and darker tail.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from a wide variety of tubular and brushy flowers, including Heliconia, Inga, Erythrina, and ornamental shrubs. It supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, captured by hawking or gleaning from foliage. Territorial individuals defend rich flower patches and may visit sugar-water feeders.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, gardens, hedgerows, and plantations where flowering plants are abundant. Uses both understory blooms and mid-canopy blossoms, often returning repeatedly to favored routes.
