The White-bellied Emerald (Amazilia candida) is a striking hummingbird species found in parts of Central America and South America. With its vibrant green plumage and conspicuous white underbelly, this medium-sized hummingbird is a real beauty. In this article, we’ll explore the key identifying features, habitat, diet, behavior, breeding, conservation status and interesting facts about the White-bellied emerald.
Identification:
The adult White-bellied emerald has predominantly bright emerald green upperparts from its head to tail. The throat is also glittering emerald green. As the name suggests, the underparts are snowy white from the chin down to the undertail. The white belly contrasts starkly with the vibrant green back. The white color extends onto the sides of the breast in some subspecies. Males and females look alike. The bill is straight, black and of medium length. The eyes are brown. Juveniles have buffy edges to the feathers on the underside and lack the full emerald green throat.
Distribution and Habitat:
The White-bellied emerald is found in tropical regions from Mexico south to Bolivia and Brazil. Its habitats include rainforests, woodland edges, plantations, gardens and parks. This species occurs at elevations up to 1500m. It has a scattered and fragmented distribution across its wide range.
Food and Feeding:
Like all hummingbirds, the White-bellied emerald feeds on nectar from flowers using its long extendable tongue. It favors plants from the Heliconia genus and also feeds from Inga, Erythrina, banana and palm flowers. The emerald will dart quickly between blossoms. It can hover precisely while extracting nectar even from curved flowers. Sometimes it pierces the base of the flower to steal nectar. Insects and spiders supplement its diet and provide important protein. The bird hawks small insects in flight or gleans them from leaves and branches.
Behavior:
The White-bellied emerald is active and energetic, constantly fluttering its wings to hover in front of flowers. It has a swift and direct flight with rapid wingbeats. The males are aggressive and territorial, using diving displays to drive intruders away. Their metallic chipping call is used in defending territories. Females have a high-pitched twittering call. Emeralds bathe frequently by flying through wet leaves or by pooling water in a tree hole. Roosting takes place hidden high in dense foliage.
Breeding:
The breeding season of the White-bellied emerald varies geographically and peaks at different times. In Central America breeding occurs between March and June, in western South America from September to November, and in southeastern Brazil in November to February. The male courts the female through elaborate aerial displays, diving and rising in arcs while flashing his throat patch. The tiny cup-shaped nest is constructed by the female using plant down and spider silk to bind moss, lichen and leaves together. It is attached to a branch, often overhanging water. She lays two tiny white eggs. Incubation lasts 15-19 days and the chicks fledge after another 20-26 days.
Conservation Status:
The White-bellied emerald has a very wide range and is fairly common in parts of its range. However, its fragmented distribution and declining population trend means that it is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss is a major threat.
Interesting Facts:
– The species name “candida” is Latin for glittering white, referring to the bright white underside.
– Males establish feeding territories which they advertise through vocalizations and by chasing intruders.
– A White-bellied emerald was once recorded travelling 650 km in just a few days, demonstrating their strong flight ability.
– The emerald green color results from refracted light in the feathers, not from green pigment. The refracting structure produces iridescence.
– Hummingbirds have uniquely structured feathers allowing them to hover. They beat their wings up to 70 times per second.
– To conserve energy overnight, hummingbirds go into a hibernation-like state called torpor where their metabolic rate drops dramatically.
In summary, the beautiful White-bellied emerald is a fascinating hummingbird species adapted to feeding on tropical flowers. Its irridescent coloration and energetic flight make this an attractive bird, but habitat loss poses a threat. Further research and conservation measures are needed to ensure the future survival of this emerald jewel among the hummingbirds.