Sapphire-spangled Emerald
Chionomesa lactea
Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea) — Hummingbirds of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 4.6 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Chionomesa
- Species lactea
Where it lives
Amazonia from southeastern Venezuela to northeastern Argentina and northern Bolivia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4.6 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Birb mood:
the tiny disco knight
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea) belongs to the Trochilidae family of the order Apodiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Amazonia from se Venezuela to ne Argentina and n Bolivia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 4.6 g, with a wing length of about 5.4 cm and a tail of around 3 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sapphire-spangled Emerald?
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is a very small bird that weighs around 4.6 g.
Where does the Sapphire-spangled Emerald live?
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is found across South America with a range covering SA Amazonia from se Venezuela to ne Argentina and n Bolivia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Sapphire-spangled Emerald belong to?
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Chionomesa lactea) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Sapphire-spangled Emerald eat?
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Sapphire-spangled Emerald migrate?
The Sapphire-spangled Emerald is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Sapphire-spangled Emerald make?
1 real field recording of the Sapphire-spangled Emerald — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.