Blue-throated Sapphire
Chlorestes eliciae
The Blue-throated Sapphire (Chlorestes eliciae) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 8 countries. The blue-throated goldentail, also known as the blue-throated sapphire, is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.
About the Blue-throated Sapphire
The blue-throated goldentail, also known as the blue-throated sapphire, is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This medium-sized hummingbird measures 9 cm (3.5 in) and weighs 3.6 g (0.13 oz). On average, the male's wings measure 49.7 mm (1.96 in), its tail 26.7 mm (1.05 in), and its bill (i.e. culmen from base) 18.2 mm (0.72 in). The female's parts are a little bit smaller, as its wings measure 47.7 mm (1.88 in), its tail 25.9 mm (1.02 in), and its bill 19.4 mm (0.76 in). The crown and upperparts are green, shading to the metallic golden-green tail. The wings are dusky, while the sides and belly are green. The throat is metallic blue-violet.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-throated Sapphire?
- This medium-sized hummingbird measures 9 cm (3.5 in) and weighs 3.6 g (0.13 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- Where can you see a Blue-throated Sapphire?
- The Blue-throated Sapphire occurs in 8 countries, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala and Honduras.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-throated Sapphire?
- The Blue-throated Sapphire is most easily confused with the Violet-bellied Hummingbird, the White-chinned Sapphire and the Blue-chinned Sapphire.
- Is the Blue-throated Sapphire endangered?
- The Blue-throated Sapphire is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-throated Sapphire for real
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