The versicoloured emerald is a species of hummingbird from central and eastern South America.
Region
Central and Eastern South America
Typical Environment
This hummingbird is widespread in Brazil and extends into adjacent parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, inhabiting a mosaic of wooded and semi-open areas. It favors forest edges, gallery forests, Cerrado and Caatinga scrub, secondary growth, and urban parks and gardens. It often follows flowering cycles of shrubs and trees, moving locally as resources change. Nests are typically placed on low to mid-level branches in sheltered sites near nectar sources.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The versicolored emerald is a small hummingbird of central and eastern South America, often frequenting gardens and forest edges. Its plumage can vary across subspecies, with shimmering green upperparts and variable green-spangled underparts. It is an important pollinator of many native plants and occasionally catches tiny insects for protein. The species has also been known under the older name Amazilia versicolor.
A coastal nominate from São Paulo, Brazil.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
hovering with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Individuals are typically solitary, with males defending rich flowering patches from rivals. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights near favored perches. Nests are tiny cup-shaped structures of plant down bound with spider silk, often decorated with lichens on the outside.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include thin, high-pitched chips and short trills, often given from exposed perches. Wing hum is audible at close range, especially during territorial chases.
Plumage
Iridescent emerald-green upperparts with variable green-spangled throat and breast, often contrasting with whitish to grayish lower underparts; bronze to rufous-tinged tail that may appear slightly forked.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering shrubs and trees, including native and ornamental species. It supplements nectar with small insects and spiders, caught by hawking or gleaning from foliage. This mixed diet provides both energy and essential proteins.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, in clearings, riparian corridors, and in human-altered landscapes such as gardens where flowers are abundant. Often returns repeatedly to productive nectar sources and may defend them vigorously.
