Birds Active during the day

Glittering-throated Emerald

Chionomesa fimbriata

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A shimmering jewel of South American gardens, the Glittering-throated Emerald is as bold as it is beautiful. With its iridescent throat and distinctive white-striped belly, it's a high-energy favorite for backyard bird enthusiasts.

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Quick Identification

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Size

8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in) in length; weighs between 3.5 and 6.2 g (0.12 to 0.22 oz)

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Colors

Upperparts are shimmering golden-green or bronze-green. Males feature a brilliant glittering green throat and chest; females have white-spotted throats and white-tipped outer tail feathers. Both sexes have a distinct white midline on the belly.

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Key Features

Glittering iridescent green throat and breast
Distinctive white vertical stripe down the center of the belly
Straight bill with a pinkish base on the lower mandible
Blue-black sheen on a slightly forked dark tail

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily a nectarivore, feeding on the nectar of tubular flowers from various trees, shrubs, and vines. It also acts as an active flycatcher, darting into the air to snag small insects and spiders to meet its protein requirements.

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Habitat Found in a variety of semi-open landscapes including suburban gardens, city parks, forest edges, plantations, and second-growth scrub.

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Where Does the Glittering-throated Emerald Live?

The Glittering-throated Emerald is a widespread resident of South America, thriving across the northern and central parts of the continent. Its core range stretches from the Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and down into the vast Amazon Basin of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. It is also a very common and beloved backyard visitor on the island of Trinidad, though it is generally absent from the high Andes and the far southern cone of the continent.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

13.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

BR Brazil CO Colombia VE Venezuela PE Peru BO Bolivia GY Guyana SR Suriname French Guiana TT Trinidad and Tobago EC Ecuador

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Glittering-throated Emerald is a bold and energetic hummingbird, often observed as a dominant figure in tropical gardens. It is highly territorial, frequently engaging in high-speed aerial chases to defend its favorite flowering shrubs or feeders from other hummingbirds and even larger birds. When not feeding, it can be spotted perching on exposed, slender branches to survey its domain, occasionally letting out a series of high-pitched, rhythmic chips.

Despite their aggressive defense of food sources, these birds are quite comfortable around human habitation. They are inquisitive and may hover just a few feet away from people to investigate bright clothing or new garden fixtures. Their flight is exceptionally agile, allowing them to hover with precision while probing deep into tubular flowers for nectar.

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Camera Tips

To get the best shots of a Glittering-throated Emerald, position your camera 2 to 3 feet away from a reliable nectar source like a hummingbird feeder or a cluster of Firebush (Hamelia patens). Because their iridescence depends on light refraction, place the camera so that the morning sun shines directly onto the bird's chest and throat. If the sun is behind the bird, the throat will often look black or dull green rather than the signature glittering turquoise.

Set your AI-powered camera to its highest shutter speed or use a dedicated 'Bird' mode if available. These hummingbirds move their wings at incredible speeds, and a fast shutter (at least 1/2000s) is necessary to freeze the action. If you are using a trail camera, ensure it has a fast trigger speed, as these birds often hover for only a few seconds before darting away. High-definition video settings are often better than stills for capturing the shimmering 'glitter' effect as the bird moves its head.

Hummingbirds are creatures of habit. If you notice a Glittering-throated Emerald perching on a specific twig between feedings, move your camera to focus on that branch. This provides a rare opportunity to capture the bird in a resting state, where the white belly stripe and bill details are easier to see. Use a clean, 4:1 water-to-sugar nectar solution to keep them coming back, and try to place your camera in a spot sheltered from heavy wind to keep the feeder stable and the focus sharp.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Glittering-throated Emerald.

Versicolored Emerald

The Versicolored Emerald has a much whiter breast and belly, and the green on its throat is often restricted to the sides.

White-chested Emerald

Lacks the glittering green throat entirely, featuring a pure snowy-white throat and breast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Glittering-throated Emeralds are most active during the cooler parts of the day, specifically in the first three hours after sunrise and the two hours before sunset. This is when they engage in peak foraging and territorial displays.

You can attract them by planting native tubular flowers like Ixora, Hibiscus, or Porterweed. Supplementing these with a clean hummingbird feeder filled with a simple sugar-water solution (no red dye) is the most effective way to ensure frequent visits.

Their diet consists mainly of flower nectar for energy and small insects or spiders for protein. They are expert hoverers and can glean tiny bugs directly from leaves or catch them in mid-air.

Yes, they are very adaptable and are one of the most common hummingbirds found in South American suburban gardens, parks, and agricultural areas. They thrive in environments where humans provide flowering plants.

The key identifier is the clear white stripe running down the center of the belly and the lack of a white 'boot' or heavy spotting on the underparts. The throat is a more uniform, glittering green compared to the Versicolored Emerald.

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