Blue-shinned Sapphire

Chlorestes notata

Cali Valle Del Cauca Colombia

Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Chlorestes notata
  • Spanish Name: Esmeralda coliazul
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Known Nicknames: Blue-chinned Sapphire, Common Sapphire
  • Average Length: 8.5–9.5 cm / 3.3–3.7 in
  • Average Weight: 3.3–3.8 g / 0.11–0.13 oz
  • Wingspan: 10.0–12.0 cm / 3.9–4.7 in
  • Key Feature: Iridescent green plumage with a distinct, brilliant violet-blue patch on the chin and upper throat
  • Primary Diet: Nectarivore (Nectar and small insects)
  • Range: Northeastern South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, the Guianas, and Brazil
  • Habitat: Forest edges, clearings, open woodlands, second-growth forests, and gardens
  • Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
  • Nesting/Breeding: Small, deep cup nest made of plant fibers and cobwebs on a horizontal branch
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Population Trend: Stable

The Blue-chinned Sapphire (*Chlorestes notata*) is a dazzling species of hummingbird native to the tropical forests and coastal lowlands of South America. This small but vibrant bird is primarily adorned in shimmering metallic green plumage, but it is most famous for its namesake feature: a brilliant, iridescent blue patch on its chin and upper throat that glows intensely under direct sunlight. Measuring roughly nine centimeters in length, it boasts a deeply forked, dark blue tail and a slender, straight bill characterized by a distinctive reddish-pink lower mandible with a dark tip. A high-energy aerialist, this sapphire-hued gem is known for its aggressive defense of nectar sources, darting with remarkable precision between flowers to fuel its rapid metabolism while serving as a vital pollinator within its lush ecosystem.

Fun Facts

These spirited hummingbirds are known for their intense territoriality, often fearlessly chasing away much larger birds from their favorite nectar patches. A particularly quirky behavior is their penchant for "hawking," where they snatch tiny insects out of mid-air like miniature fighter jets to supplement their sugary diet. To ensure their architectural success, they use sticky spider silk to bind their tiny cup-shaped nests, allowing the structure to stretch and expand as the chicks grow. During courtship, males perform a high-speed "shuttle display," zig-zagging back and forth with such mechanical precision that they appear as a shimmering, iridescent blur to potential mates.

Habitats & Distribution

It is widely distributed across northern South America, with a range extending from northeastern Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and into northern and eastern Brazil. It is also native to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This species primarily occupies lowland areas, generally remaining at elevations below 1,000 meters. Its preferred habitats include forest edges, clearings, and second-growth woodlands rather than deep, primary forest interiors. It is frequently found in coastal mangroves and human-modified environments such as coffee and cocoa plantations, as well as suburban gardens and parks where it can easily access nectar sources.

Behaviours & Reproduction

These birds are primarily solitary and highly territorial, frequently defending nectar-rich flowering trees against competitors through aggressive aerial maneuvers. Their social structure is defined by these brief, competitive interactions rather than stable group dynamics. During the breeding season, males are polygynous and use elaborate vocalizations and flight displays to attract multiple mates, though they do not form long-term pair bonds or assist in raising the young. The female handles all aspects of nesting and offspring care, meticulously constructing a small, cup-shaped nest using plant down and spider silk for structural elasticity. She typically lays two white eggs, which she incubates alone for approximately two weeks. To ensure the chicks' growth, she provides a protein-rich diet of small insects along with nectar, maintaining the nest and protecting the brood independently until they are fully fledged.

Diet

The Blue-shinned Sapphire primarily sustains itself on a high-energy diet of nectar supplemented by small arthropods. It frequents a wide variety of flowering plants, including those in the genera Inga and Vochysia, as well as various epiphytes, utilizing its specialized bill to extract sugar-rich liquid from blossoms across different forest strata. Interestingly, this hummingbird is not solely a nectarivore; it actively hunts tiny insects and spiders through "hawking" in mid-air or by meticulously gleaning them from foliage to obtain necessary proteins and minerals. While it is often observed foraging at the edges of humid forests and plantations, it exhibits a flexible feeding strategy, sometimes joining mixed-species assemblages at large flowering trees or defending specific floral patches from smaller competitors. Its incredibly high metabolism necessitates this near-constant intake, making it a vital pollinator as it moves between diverse floral sources throughout the day.

Colors

The Blue-chinned Sapphire displays shimmering metallic green plumage across its back and breast, distinguished by a vibrant violet-blue patch on its chin and throat. It possesses a dark steel-blue tail and a straight bill with a characteristic reddish lower mandible. These iridescent colors provide effective camouflage by mimicking the shifting light and shadows of the tropical forest canopy.