Black-throated Mango

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Anthracothorax nigricollis
• Spanish Name: Mango gorginegro
• Family: Trochilidae
• Known Nicknames: Mango de garganta negra, Beija-flor-de-veste-preta
• Average Length: 10.2–11.4 cm / 4–4.5 in
• Average Weight: 6.8–7.5 g / 0.24–0.26 oz
• Wingspan: 12–13 cm / 4.7–5.1 in
• Key Feature: Slightly decurved black bill and iridescent black throat and breast bordered by blue-green
• Primary Diet: Primarily Nectarivore (Nectar and small insects)
• Range: Panama and South America south to Northeastern Argentina and Brazil
• Habitat: Open or semi-open landscapes, gardens, plantations, and forest edges
• Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
• Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nests on high horizontal tree branches
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
• Population Trend: Stable

The Black-throated Mango (*Anthracothorax nigricollis*) is a large, striking hummingbird native to the tropical landscapes of South America, renowned for its brilliant metallic plumage and graceful flight. The male is a vision of deep jewel tones, sporting a shimmering bronze-green back and a velvety black throat and chest elegantly framed by a radiant blue-green border. In a unique twist for hummingbirds, the female is equally distinctive, featuring a crisp white underside marked by a bold, central black stripe running from her chin to her belly. Both sexes possess a long, slightly decurved bill perfectly adapted for sipping nectar from tubular flowers and catching insects mid-air, while their broad, fanned tails often flash a surprising burst of iridescent wine-purple or maroon. Often found in open gardens and forest edges, this spirited bird is as much a master of adaptation as it is a masterpiece of natural color.

Fun Facts

The Black-throated Mango is a fearless aerial acrobat known for aggressively chasing away much larger birds from its favorite nectar sources. It often practices "trap-lining," memorizing a specific route of flowers to visit in a precise circuit rather than defending a single patch. While its slightly decurved bill is a specialized tool for tubular blooms, it also excels at "hawking," snatching insects mid-air with sudden, sharp maneuvers. Most impressively, the female uses elastic spider silk to construct her nest, which allows the tiny cup to stretch and expand like a growing balloon as the chicks get larger.

Habitats & Distribution

This hummingbird favors open and semi-open landscapes, including forest edges, savannas, second-growth scrub, and cultivated areas such as gardens and plantations. It is frequently encountered in urban environments and human-modified habitats, generally preferring lower elevations below 1,000 meters, though it occasionally ranges higher in certain regions. Its geographical range extends from Panama across much of South America east of the Andes, reaching as far south as northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. It is also a resident breeder on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. While primarily sedentary, some populations in the southern parts of its range may undertake seasonal movements following flowering cycles.

Behaviours & Reproduction

Highly territorial and solitary, these hummingbirds aggressively defend nectar sources against both rivals and large insects. Their social structure is defined by this independence, as individuals only associate briefly for mating. The species employs a polygynous strategy where males mate with multiple females and provide no parental care, focusing their energy instead on defending territories and performing aerial displays to attract partners. The female is solely responsible for reproduction, including nest construction, incubation, and chick-rearing. She builds a tiny, cup-shaped nest using soft plant down and spider silk, often camouflaging the exterior with lichen to blend into the surrounding branches. She typically lays two white eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. To ensure the survival of the young, she feeds them a protein-rich diet of small insects and spiders alongside nectar until they are ready to fledge.

Diet

The Black-throated Mango primarily sustains itself on a diet of nectar and small invertebrates, showcasing the high metabolic demand typical of hummingbirds. It predominantly visits the flowers of tall trees, such as Erythrina and Tabebuia, as well as various shrubs and cacti, using its long, slightly curved bill and specialized extensile tongue to lap up liquid energy. Interestingly, this species is not solely a nectarivore; it frequently engages in "hawking," where it captures small insects and spiders mid-air, or gleans them directly from vegetation to obtain essential proteins and minerals. These birds are known to be highly territorial over rich nectar sources, often aggressively defending specific flowering trees from other hummingbirds to ensure a steady food supply. Their foraging behavior makes them vital pollinators within their tropical ecosystems, as they inadvertently transfer pollen while moving between diverse floral displays.

Colors

The Black-throated Mango features iridescent bronze-green upperparts and a striking chestnut tail with dark purple tips. Males are identified by a velvet-black throat and chest bordered by shimmering blue-green, while females display white underparts bisected by a bold, vertical black stripe from the chin to the vent. This metallic plumage provides disruptive camouflage within sun-dappled tropical foliage while signaling to mates and rivals.