Black-throated Mango (male)

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Anthracothorax nigricollis
• Spanish Name: Mango pechinegro
• Family: Trochilidae
• Known Nicknames: Black-throated Mango
• Average Length: 10.2 cm / 4.0 in
• Average Weight: 7.2 g / 0.25 oz
• Wingspan: 12.5 cm / 4.9 in
• Key Feature: Broad black stripe from the chin down the center of the breast and belly, bordered by iridescent blue-green
• Primary Diet: Nectarivore and Insectivore
• Range: Panama and South America south to northeastern Argentina, including Trinidad and Tobago
• Habitat: Open country, gardens, forest edges, and second growth
• Social Structure: Solitary and Territorial
• Nesting/Breeding: Small cup nest made of plant down and lichen on high, thin tree branches
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
• Population Trend: Stable

The male Black-throated Mango (*Anthracothorax nigricollis*) is a striking and robust hummingbird known for its regal, iridescent plumage and commanding presence in the tropical landscapes of South America and Panama. Characterized by a long, slightly decurved black bill, the male is easily identified by its namesake velvet-black throat and breast, which is elegantly framed by shimmering blue-green or teal borders. Its upperparts glow with a metallic bronze-green sheen, but its most dramatic feature is often revealed in flight: a broad, rounded tail featuring deep magenta or wine-purple outer feathers that flash brilliantly against the greenery. This agile bird is not only a master of hovering near nectar-rich flowers but also a spirited defender of its feeding territory, making it as fascinating to observe for its bold behavior as for its vivid, jewel-toned appearance.

Fun Facts

The male Black-throated Mango is a fierce aerial acrobat known for its "hawking" behavior, where it snatches flying insects right out of the sky with pinpoint precision. Despite its small size, this hummingbird is incredibly pugnacious and will boldly dive-bomb much larger birds to defend its favorite nectar sources. Its most striking hidden feature is its dark tail, which reveals flashes of brilliant wine-red or magenta when spread during territorial displays. To survive its high-energy lifestyle, it can enter a state of torpor at night, drastically lowering its heart rate and body temperature to conserve energy until dawn.

Habitats & Distribution

This species is widely distributed across Central and South America, ranging from Panama through the Amazon Basin to northeastern Argentina, and includes the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It primarily occupies lowland regions east of the Andes, although it can occasionally be found at elevations up to 1,000 meters. Within this extensive range, it favors open and semi-open landscapes rather than dense, continuous forests. Common habitats include forest edges, savannas, second-growth scrub, cultivated lands such as plantations, and urban gardens. It is also frequently observed in mangroves and along the borders of rivers and marshes, where it seeks out flowering trees and shrubs.

Behaviours & Reproduction

Males are intensely territorial and solitary, aggressively defending high-quality nectar sources from rivals and other nectar-feeding species. Their social structure is defined by this competitive exclusion rather than group cooperation, as they spend much of their time perched prominently to monitor their domain. During the breeding season, males engage in polygynous behavior, performing dynamic courtship displays that involve hovering and rapid aerial movements to attract multiple females. Once mating is successful, the male provides no parental care and does not assist in nest construction or the rearing of the young. This reproductive strategy allows him to remain focused on territory defense and seeking further mating opportunities. While the female handles all nesting duties, the male continues his solitary lifestyle, ensuring his dominance over food resources through persistent aggression and vocalizations.

Diet

The male Black-throated Mango primarily sustains itself on a high-energy diet of nectar, which it extracts from a variety of flowering trees and shrubs, particularly those in the Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae families. While nectar provides the necessary sugars for its rapid metabolism, this hummingbird also relies heavily on protein-rich arthropods, such as small spiders and flying insects, which it captures mid-air through a technique known as hawking or gleans directly from foliage. An interesting aspect of its dietary behavior is its aggressive territoriality; males often fiercely defend high-quality floral patches from other hummingbirds and large insects to ensure a consistent food supply. Additionally, while foraging, they serve as vital pollinators, inadvertently transferring pollen on their bills and heads as they move between blossoms. This species is also known to visit artificial feeders, showing adaptability in human-altered landscapes.

Colors

The male Black-throated Mango features shimmering golden-green upperparts and a distinctive wide black stripe running from the throat down the center of the breast, bordered by vibrant, iridescent blue-green. Its most striking feature is a deep magenta or wine-purple tail tipped with black, while its long, slightly decurved bill is entirely dark. The metallic green plumage provides effective camouflage against sun-dappled tropical foliage by mimicking the play of light on leaves.

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