The sapphire-spangled emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is regularly found in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela; as a vagrant in Argentina; and has possibly occurred in Ecuador.
Region
Amazon Basin and eastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in northern and central South America, regularly in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia, with occasional records in Argentina and possible occurrence in Ecuador. It uses forest edges, gallery forests, secondary growth, cerrado and caatinga mosaics, riverine woodlands, and suburban gardens. Often found along flowering shrubs and trees, including in disturbed and semi-open habitats. It adapts well to human-altered landscapes where nectar sources are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small hummingbird is named for the blue-violet 'spangled' sheen across its throat and upper breast, which flashes in good light. It frequents forest edges, clearings, and gardens and readily visits feeders. Males are notably territorial at rich flower patches, while females alone build the nest and rear the young.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering; fast, direct dashes between flowers
Social Behavior
Males defend nectar territories vigorously against other hummingbirds. The small cup nest is built by the female from plant down and spider silk on a slender branch or fork. Clutches are typically two eggs, and the female performs all incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched chips and twitters, often given while perched near a nectar source. Wing hum is audible at close range during hovering and chases.
Plumage
Iridescent green upperparts and underparts with a striking blue-violet, 'spangled' throat and upper breast; slightly forked, bronze-green tail with a darker subterminal band. Females tend to show a smaller, duller blue area and more whitish on the belly and undertail. Feathers are compact and glossy, typical of hummingbirds.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering shrubs, trees, and epiphytes, including Inga, Erythrina, and ornamental garden plants. Supplements diet with small insects and spiders captured by hawking or gleaning for protein. Will readily use hummingbird feeders when available. Foraging is methodical, with repeated circuits among favored blooms.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, in clearings, riparian corridors, savanna-like cerrado, and in parks and gardens. Takes nectar from the understory to mid-canopy and often perches between bouts of hovering.
