The sapphire-bellied hummingbird is an Endangered species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to Colombia.
Region
Caribbean coast of northern Colombia
Typical Environment
Occurs in a narrow coastal belt, primarily in mangrove forests, lagoon edges, and adjacent dry scrub. It is most often recorded in or near protected areas like Isla de Salamanca National Park, but even there it is patchily distributed. Birds range into nearby secondary growth, hedgerows, and flowering gardens when resources are available. The species closely tracks blooms of tea mangrove and other nectar sources, making it sensitive to changes in hydrology and fire regimes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny emerald hummingbird is confined to a very small stretch of Colombia’s Caribbean coast around the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta and Isla de Salamanca. It frequents mangroves and adjacent scrub, often feeding at tea mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae) and coastal shrubs. Habitat degradation, hydrological changes, and fires have severely reduced its range. Careful mangrove restoration and protection of flowering resources are key to its survival.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone, with males defending rich flower patches vigorously against other hummingbirds. Nests are small cup-shaped structures made of plant down and spider silk, placed low in mangroves or adjacent scrub. Courtship and territorial chases are common where flowers are concentrated.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched chips and twitters, often given while foraging. Males may produce rapid, tinkling series during territorial interactions.
Plumage
Male shows brilliant iridescent sapphire-blue underparts with glossy green upperparts and a slightly bronzy tail; female has green upperparts with whitish to pale gray underparts washed bluish on the belly and a more muted tail. Both sexes have a straight, slender bill and a small white post-ocular spot.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from mangroves (notably tea mangrove), coastal shrubs like Hamelia and Inga, and other blooming trees. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, hawked in short sallies or gleaned from foliage. Nectar choices vary seasonally with flower availability.
Preferred Environment
Forages along mangrove edges, lagoon margins, and in nearby dry scrub and secondary growth where flowering shrubs are abundant. Also visits gardens and roadside plantings when suitable blooms are present.
