Diet

• Primarily nectar from a wide variety of flowering trees, shrubs, vines, and ornamental plants.

• Supplements its diet with small insects, spiders, and other tiny arthropods, especially during the breeding season.

• Frequently hovers while feeding but also gleans insects from leaves and captures them in mid-air.

Range

• Found from eastern Mexico south through Central America to northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.

• In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf coastal lowlands, including the Zihuatanejo region.

• Inhabits tropical dry forests, forest edges, mangroves, gardens, plantations, and other semi-open habitats.

• Generally a year-round resident throughout most of its range.

Male / Female

• Male: Velvety black head, throat, and chest with a brilliant iridescent emerald-green breast; black tail with purplish gloss; slightly longer bill.

• Female: White underparts with a bold black stripe running down the centre of the throat and belly, green upperparts, and white tips on the outer tail feathers.

• Juveniles: Resemble adult females but are duller, with buff-edged feathers and less distinct markings.

Size

• Length: 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in)

• Wingspan: 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in)

• Weight: 5–7 g