Versicoloured Emerald vs White-throated Hummingbird

In short

The Versicolored Emerald and White-throated Hummingbird are both medium-sized hummingbirds with overlapping ranges in South America. The most reliable field mark is the mandible color: the Versicolored Emerald has a mostly pink mandible, while the White-throated Hummingbird's is black. Both species have green upperparts and white underparts, but subtle differences in throat and crown coloration can help with identification.

Identification tips

• Mandible color: Versicolored Emerald has a mostly pink mandible; White-throated Hummingbird's is black.
• Throat color: Versicolored Emerald may have variable throat colors, whereas White-throated Hummingbird typically has a white throat.
• Crown color: Versicolored Emerald's crown can vary among subspecies, sometimes glittering green or turquoise.
• Range overlap: Be aware of geographic variation and potential overlap in range.

Size

Both species are medium-sized hummingbirds, with no significant size difference to aid in field identification.

Plumage

The Versicolored Emerald has green upperparts and white underparts, with variations in crown and throat color among subspecies. The White-throated Hummingbird also has green upperparts and white underparts but typically features a more consistently white throat.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit typical hummingbird behavior, feeding at a variety of flowers and sometimes defending small feeding territories.

Habitat

Both species are found in similar habitats, including forest edges, open shrubby areas, and savannas with scattered trees or shrubs in eastern South America.