Bird Guide

Short-tailed Emerald

Chlorostilbon poortmani

Least ConcernNectarForestCup nestTiny · 4 g

About the Short-tailed Emerald

The short-tailed emerald is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been called Poortman's emerald hummingbird.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The male short-tailed emerald is 6.9 to 8.5 cm (2.7 to 3.3 in) long and females 6.5 to 7.5 cm (2.6 to 3.0 in). The species weighs between 3 and 4 g (0.11 and 0.14 oz). Both sexes of both subspecies have a straight black bill. Males of the nominate subspecies have an iridescent green forehead and bronzy green crown, upperparts, and uppertail coverts. Their underparts are brilliant glittery green. Their tail is short, forked, and iridescent bronze green. Nominate females have a dull green forehead and a dull bronzy green crown, upperparts, and uppertail coverts. Their underparts are gray. Voice: What is thought to be the short-tailed emerald's song is "a long series of high-pitched tseep notes" that is thought to be sung only in the wet season. It also makes "repeated short tsip and longer downslurred plaintive tsew...tsew.." calls.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Short-tailed Emerald lives

Regular range

When to see the Short-tailed Emerald

Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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