Birds diurnal

Black-throated Mango

Anthracothorax nigricollis

With its shimmering green plumage and bold black markings, the Black-throated Mango is a jewel of the tropical garden. This large, confident hummingbird is a master of the air and a favorite for backyard birdwatchers.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 10.2 cm (4 in); Weight: approximately 7 g (0.25 oz)

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Colors

Males have iridescent green upperparts and a velvet-black throat and chest bordered by blue; females feature a white underside with a bold black central stripe.

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Key Features

Slightly decurved (down-turned) black bill
Deep purple or maroon outer tail feathers visible in flight
Male has a distinctive black 'shield' on the breast
Female has a thick black 'racing stripe' from chin to belly

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

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Season Year-round in most tropical areas, though sightings increase during local flowering peaks (often January-May).

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Diet Primarily nectar from flowering trees, shrubs, and cacti; they also supplement their diet by catching small insects and spiders in mid-air or off foliage for protein.

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Habitat Open country, gardens, parks, forest edges, and second-growth scrub; less common in deep, dense rainforest.

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Behavior

The Black-throated Mango is a bold and territorial hummingbird known for its confident presence around nectar sources. Unlike some smaller, more skittish hummingbirds, the Mango often perches on high, open branches to survey its territory, aggressively chasing away intruders—even larger birds—that dare to feed on its favorite flowers. They are highly adaptable and have successfully integrated into human-altered landscapes, making them a frequent visitor to suburban gardens and city parks across their range.

When feeding, these birds exhibit a mix of hovering to sip nectar and 'hawking' for insects in mid-air. They are particularly active during the early morning and late afternoon. In social settings, they are mostly solitary except during the breeding season or when high-value food sources like a flowering tree or a well-maintained feeder create a temporary gathering spot. Their flight is direct and powerful, often accompanied by a low-pitched humming sound from their wings.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Black-throated Mango, position your camera approximately 3 to 5 feet away from a nectar-rich focal point, such as a hummingbird feeder or a cluster of tubular flowers like Hibiscus or Heliconia. Because these birds are slightly larger than many other hummingbirds, they tend to hover with a bit more stability, but you will still need a fast shutter speed or a 'Sports' mode setting on your AI camera to freeze the wing motion. Ensure the camera is at eye level with the flowers to capture the characteristic curve of their bill and the iridescent purple of their tail feathers.

Lighting is the most critical factor for this species. To reveal the velvet-black 'shield' of the male or the striking central stripe of the female, set up your camera with the sun behind you (front-lighting the bird). This allows the light to hit the iridescent feathers and bring out the greens and blues that otherwise look dark or dull in the shade. If using a feeder as a lure, clean it every two days to ensure the birds keep returning, and use a simple 4:1 water-to-white-sugar ratio without any red dyes, which can be harmful to their health.

For the most dramatic shots, look for a 'perching twig' near the food source. Black-throated Mangos love to sit on a bare branch between feeding bouts to guard their territory. If you can identify this favorite perch, aim your camera there with a shallow depth of field. This often results in much clearer, more 'posed' photos than those taken while the bird is hovering. During the rainy season, these birds are still active, but they often seek shelter during heavy downpours; setting your camera to trigger on movement just after a rainstorm can capture beautiful shots of them shaking water off their feathers.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black-throated Mango.

Green-breasted Mango

Very similar, but the male Green-breasted has less black on the chest and more green/blue tones overall.

Green-throated Mango

Found in mangroves; the male has a glittering green throat instead of a black one.

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Much smaller with a bright orange tail and a brilliant ruby-red crown on the male.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk, as they 'refuel' their high metabolism.

Plant native tubular flowers like Heliconias or use a hummingbird feeder with a 4:1 sugar-water solution. They prefer open areas with some tall perching branches.

Their diet consists mostly of floral nectar, but they are also skilled hunters of small flying insects and spiders.

Yes, they are very well-adapted to human environments and are frequently found in suburban gardens, city parks, and agricultural areas throughout Central and South America.

The male Black-throated Mango has more extensive black on the underparts with less blue bordering, while the female has a more pronounced and continuous black central stripe compared to similar species.

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