Birds diurnal

Fork-tailed Woodnymph

Thalurania furcata

A living sapphire of the South American understory, the Fork-tailed Woodnymph is famous for its shimmering violet plumage and aggressive, acrobatic flight. This 'emerald' hummingbird is a master of the forest edge, bringing a flash of electric color to any shaded garden.

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Quick Identification

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Size

9.5 to 13 cm (3.7 to 5.1 in) in length; wingspan of approximately 10-12 cm (4-4.7 in); weight ranges from 3.5 to 6 g (0.12 to 0.21 oz)

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Colors

Males are spectacular with an iridescent green gorget, violet-blue crown, and a deep violet belly. Females have bright green upperparts and pale grayish-white underparts.

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Key Features

Deeply forked, blue-black tail in males
Vibrant violet belly and crown patches
Slightly decurved medium-length black bill
Small white spot behind the eye

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 in tropical regions, with increased visibility during peak flowering seasons (typically March-August).

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Diet Primarily nectar from tubular flowers like Heliconias and bromeliads; also consumes small insects and spiders for protein.

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Habitat Humid forests, forest edges, older second-growth woods, and shaded plantations or gardens.

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Behavior

The Fork-tailed Woodnymph is a highly energetic and territorial hummingbird often found in the shaded understory and forest edges. Unlike some more nomadic species, woodnymphs are known for 'traplining,' a foraging strategy where they follow a consistent, daily route to visit specific nectar-rich flowers. They are spirited defenders of these floral patches, often chasing away larger birds and even other hummingbirds with rapid, aggressive flight displays.

When not feeding on nectar, they can be seen 'hawking' for tiny insects in mid-air or gleaning spiders from their webs. While they are naturally forest-dwellers, they adapt well to gardens and suburban backyards that provide dense cover and a variety of flowering plants. They are generally tolerant of humans if not directly disturbed, making them excellent subjects for backyard observation.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Fork-tailed Woodnymph, placement is everything. Position your camera near 'anchor' plants like Heliconia, Fuchsia, or Hibiscus. Because these birds follow a predictable 'trapline' route, they will return to the same cluster of flowers multiple times a day. Set your camera at a height of 3 to 5 feet, angled slightly upward to catch the flash of the male's violet belly and green throat. If using a feeder as a lure, place it in a shaded area; woodnymphs prefer the dappled light of the forest understory over harsh, direct sunlight.

Technical settings are crucial for such a fast-moving subject. Use the 'high sensitivity' PIR setting on your trail camera to ensure the shutter triggers as soon as the bird enters the frame. If your camera allows for video, set it to the highest possible frame rate (60fps or higher) to capture the wing beats, which can exceed 50 beats per second. A short trigger interval (less than 5 seconds) is essential because hummingbirds often hover, feed, and dart away in the blink of an eye. If your camera has a 'Macro' or 'Close-up' mode, enable it, as woodnymphs will often come within a few feet of the lens.

Lighting can make or break your footage. Try to position the camera so the sun is behind it, illuminating the bird's chest. The violet and green colors are structural, meaning they only 'glow' when light hits them at the right angle. Early morning light is often the softest and most flattering. During the dry season, adding a small water mister or a shallow, dripping birdbath can be an irresistible lure, as woodnymphs love to bathe by flying through fine spray or hovering over moving water. This provides a unique opportunity to capture their acrobatic flight patterns away from food sources.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Fork-tailed Woodnymph.

Crowned Woodnymph

Very similar, but the Crowned Woodnymph typically has a more brilliant violet crown and is found primarily in Central America and Northwest South America.

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Distinguished by a slightly different distribution and more subtle violet on the underparts compared to the Fork-tailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fork-tailed Woodnymphs are most active during the early morning hours shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. They utilize these cooler periods to replenish energy spent overnight or to fuel up for the coming evening.

To attract Fork-tailed Woodnymphs, plant native tubular flowers such as Heliconias, bromeliads, or Salvia. They are also drawn to nectar feeders with a 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio and prefer gardens with dense shrubs that provide shade and nesting cover.

Their diet consists mostly of floral nectar, providing high-energy sugars. However, they also hunt for 'aerial plankton'—small flies, gnats, and spiders—to obtain the necessary protein and minerals for muscle maintenance and egg production.

Yes, they are quite common in suburban areas that are adjacent to forest fragments or have mature, shaded gardens. They are one of the more adaptable woodnymph species and will readily visit urban parks and backyards across South America.

The male Fork-tailed Woodnymph is distinguished by its deeply forked tail and the specific combination of a violet crown and belly with a green throat. Females are harder to identify but generally have cleaner grayish-white underparts compared to the darker or spotted underparts of other emerald hummingbirds.

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