Blue-tailed Emerald vs Glittering-bellied Emerald

In short

The Blue-tailed Emerald and Glittering-bellied Emerald are similar hummingbirds, but the Blue-tailed Emerald is distinguished by its dark, iridescent blue tail and more uniform emerald green plumage in males. Females of both species have a white post-ocular stripe and pale throat, but the Blue-tailed Emerald's tail is less forked and pale-tipped.

Identification tips

• Tail color: Look for the dark, iridescent blue tail in Blue-tailed Emerald males.
• Female plumage: Note the white post-ocular stripe and less forked, pale-tipped tail in Blue-tailed Emerald females.
• Foraging behavior: Observe for nectar piracy, more commonly noted in Blue-tailed Emeralds.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of small hummingbirds.

Plumage

Male Blue-tailed Emeralds have a dark, iridescent blue tail and are almost entirely emerald green. Glittering-bellied Emerald males also have a green body but lack the distinct blue tail. Female Blue-tailed Emeralds are lighter green above with gray underparts and a vaguely masked appearance due to dark auriculars and a white post-ocular stripe. Both species' females have pale-tipped tails, but the Blue-tailed Emerald's is less forked.

Behaviour

Both species often perch at low levels and forage with quick, direct flights to flowering trees or shrubs. Nectar piracy is observed in Blue-tailed Emeralds.

Habitat

The Blue-tailed Emerald is found in tropical and subtropical zones up to 2200m, common in Colombia and Venezuela, and less common in Ecuador and Trinidad. The Glittering-bellied Emerald's habitat details are not specified here.