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Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
Birds diurnal

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer

Chalybura urochrysia

With its shimmering emerald plumage and surprising flash of bright pink feet, the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer is a true jewel of the tropical understory. This large, commanding hummingbird is a master of the forest edge, known for its golden-bronze tail and bold, territorial personality.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 10.5–12 cm (4.1–4.7 in); Weight: 6–8 g (0.2–0.3 oz)

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Colors

Metallic green body; males feature a shimmering bronze or purplish-bronze tail; females have grayish-white underparts; both sexes have distinctive bright pinkish-red feet.

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Key Features

  • Bright pink or reddish feet and legs
  • Large, robust hummingbird build
  • Bronze-gold to dusky-purple tail feathers
  • Puffy white feathers under the tail (undertail coverts)
  • Long, heavy black bill slightly curved downward

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 – 5:30 PM
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Season Year-round; sightings increase during the local rainy season when Heliconia are in full bloom.
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Diet Primarily nectar from large, tubular flowers such as Heliconia and ginger; also consumes small spiders and insects caught in mid-air (hawking) for protein.
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Habitat Wet forest edges, mature secondary forests, and lush tropical gardens or plantations.

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Behavior

The Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer is a bold and somewhat aggressive hummingbird often found in the humid lowlands. Unlike some smaller hummingbirds that flit timidly, the Plumeleteer is known for its 'trap-lining' behavior, where it follows a consistent daily route to visit specific nectar-rich flowers. It is particularly protective of high-quality food sources and will vocally chase away rivals with sharp, metallic chirping calls.

In the backyard or garden setting, they are less social than other species, preferring to dominate a feeder or a patch of flowering shrubs. They typically forage in the lower and middle levels of the forest canopy, making them excellent candidates for eye-level camera observation. Their flight is powerful and direct, often accompanied by a low humming sound from their wings.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, position your camera at a height of 3 to 5 feet from the ground. This species prefers foraging in the understory, so look for natural perches near large-leafed plants like Heliconia or Costus. Aim your lens toward a flower cluster that is just beginning to bloom, as the bird will return to these specific 'trap-line' spots multiple times a day.

Lighting is critical for this species; if the camera is in deep shade, the bronze tail will appear dull or black. Try to place your camera in a spot that receives dappled morning light. This will illuminate the metallic sheen of the tail feathers and the startling pink of the feet without overexposing the green body. If your camera allows for it, use a high shutter speed or 'action' mode to freeze the wing motion, which is exceptionally fast even for a large hummingbird.

For backyard setups, use a red-colored nectar feeder with a perch. The Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer is a heavy bird and prefers to sit while feeding if the option is available. This provides the best opportunity for a clear, still shot. Place the camera no more than 2 to 3 feet away from the feeder to capture the fine details of the plumage. Because they are territorial, you may capture dramatic footage of them diving at other hummingbirds that dare to approach their station.

Seasonally, keep your camera active during transition periods between dry and wet seasons. This is when floral resources shift, and the Plumeleteer may become more frequent at garden feeders. Use a PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor setting with high sensitivity, as hummingbirds have low body mass and may not always trigger less sensitive motion sensors.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer.

White-vented Plumeleteer

Lacks the bronze tail coloration and generally prefers slightly more open habitats.

Green-crowned Brilliant

Larger with a more deeply forked tail and lacks the bright pink feet of the Plumeleteer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteers are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. They are 'trap-line' feeders, meaning they follow a specific route to visit flowers at regular intervals throughout the day.
Planting large-flowered tropical plants like Heliconia, ginger, and hibiscus is the best way to attract them. They are also highly attracted to red hummingbird feeders filled with a standard 4:1 water-to-sugar nectar solution.
Their diet consists mainly of nectar from tubular flowers. They also supplement their diet by catching small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein, especially during the nesting season.
They are common in suburban areas that are adjacent to humid forests or have significant mature tropical vegetation. They adapt well to gardens that provide both nectar sources and dense cover for nesting.
The most reliable way to distinguish them is by the tail; the Bronze-tailed has a distinct coppery or purplish-bronze tail, whereas the White-vented Plumeleteer has a darker tail and more conspicuous white undertail coverts.

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