The red-billed emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from northern and northeastern Colombia into northwestern Venezuela, favoring arid to semi-arid lowlands, dry scrub, thorn woodland, and riverine edges. It also uses semi-open country, second growth, and gardens where flowering shrubs are abundant. The species typically forages at low to mid-level vegetation but will ascend higher in trees when blossoms are available. Local movements may follow flowering cycles but long-distance migrations are not known.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small hummingbird of the emerald group, the red-billed emerald is noted for the male’s shimmering green plumage and the namesake bright red bill with a dark tip. It frequents dry scrub, thorn forest, and semi-open areas and readily visits flowering gardens. Like many hummingbirds, it plays an important role as a pollinator while also taking small insects for protein.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary at flowers and often defends rich nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Nests are small cups of plant down and fibers bound with spider silk, placed on slender branches. Courtship involves rapid chases and display flights by the male.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and short buzzy trills, often given while foraging. Songs are simple, repeated phrases interspersed with sharp call notes.
Plumage
Male is glittering emerald-green above and below with a slightly darker tail; female has green upperparts with grayish-white underparts and a contrasting white post-ocular stripe. Both sexes show iridescence that changes with light.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from tubular and brushy flowers, including shrubs, cacti, and flowering trees. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, hawking them in short sallies or gleaning from foliage. Will visit feeders and gardens when natural blooms are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages along edges of dry scrub and thorn woodland, in open country with scattered shrubs, and in gardens and second-growth areas. Typically feeds at low to mid-levels but will exploit canopy blossoms when available.
