Birds diurnal

Mangrove Hummingbird

Chrysuronia boucardi

A glittering emerald found nowhere else on the planet, the Mangrove Hummingbird is a rare coastal treasure of Costa Rica. This endangered specialist thrives in the salt-braced forests where the jungle meets the Pacific.

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Quick Identification

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Size

9.5–11 cm (3.7–4.3 in) in length; approximately 4.5 g (0.16 oz) in weight

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Colors

Males feature glittering blue-green throats and bronze-green upperparts; females are primarily white below with green spotting on the flanks.

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Key Features

Glittering blue-green throat and breast on males
Straight black bill with a reddish base on the lower mandible
Bronze-green upperparts and forked tail
Restricted exclusively to Pacific mangrove habitats

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, with increased activity during the Tea Mangrove blooming season (December–April)

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Diet Primarily nectar from the Tea Mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae), supplemented by small insects and spiders caught in mid-air or gleaned from foliage.

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Habitat Exclusively found in mangrove forests and adjacent scrub along the Pacific coast.

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Behavior

The Mangrove Hummingbird is a specialized flyer, adapted perfectly to the saline environments of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. They are highly territorial birds, often establishing a 'trap-line' route between nectar sources. You will typically see them patrolling these routes, aggressively defending their favorite flowering trees from other hummingbirds and even larger nectar-competitors.

Unlike more generalist species, their life cycle is intimately tied to the Tea Mangrove tree. They are solitary for most of the year, coming together only briefly for mating. Their flight is characterized by rapid, darting movements, and they are known to spend significant time 'hawking' for tiny insects over the water or mudflats to supplement their sugary diet with protein.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Mangrove Hummingbird on camera requires a strategic approach focused on their very specific habitat. Because this species is an endemic specialist, you must place your camera near the edges of Pacific mangrove forests, specifically targeting the Tea Mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae) when it is in bloom. Position your camera 4 to 6 feet off the ground, aiming at a cluster of flowers rather than a single bloom to increase the chances of the bird entering the frame. A side-angled shot is best for capturing the iridescence of the male's throat feathers.

Since hummingbirds are incredibly fast, your camera settings are critical. Use a high-speed trigger with a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000s if your equipment allows manual overrides. If you are using an AI-powered camera like those supported by EverydayEarth, ensure the 'Pre-Capture' or 'Buffer' mode is active; this allows the camera to save the moments just before the motion was detected, which is often when the hummingbird is most still while hovering at a flower. Set the device to take a burst of 5-10 images to ensure at least one shot has the eyes in sharp focus.

Lighting is the 'make or break' factor for this species. To see the brilliant 'emerald' and blue tones, you need the sun behind the camera (front-lighting the bird). Early morning light between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM is ideal, as it provides a warm glow without the harsh, washing shadows of the midday sun. Be very mindful of the coastal environment—salt spray can accumulate on your lens quickly, blurring the image and confusing AI detection. Wipe your lens with a microfiber cloth daily and ensure your housing is rated for high humidity and saline air.

If you are lucky enough to live near their habitat, you can encourage visits by maintaining a 'mangrove-friendly' garden. While they rarely visit traditional plastic feeders, planting native nectar-rich species that naturally occur on the landward side of mangroves can lure them into your camera's view. Always ensure your camera is secured against the tides, as these birds often forage in areas that may become submerged at high tide.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Mangrove Hummingbird.

Blue-vented Hummingbird

Very similar but found in a wider variety of habitats; the male has a more distinct blue tint to the tail and vent area.

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Easily distinguished by its entirely cinnamon-buff underparts and lack of blue/green iridescence on the throat.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the cooler parts of the day, specifically from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and again in the late afternoon before sunset, when nectar production is often at its peak.

To attract this specialist, you must live near a Pacific mangrove ecosystem and plant native species like the Tea Mangrove or other nectar-rich coastal shrubs. They are less likely to visit artificial sugar-water feeders than common garden hummingbirds.

Their diet consists primarily of nectar from mangrove flowers, particularly the Tea Mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae). They also eat tiny insects and spiders to obtain necessary protein.

No, they are very rare and habitat-specific. They are almost never found in suburban highlands or inland forests, as they are strictly tied to the coastal mangrove fringe of Costa Rica.

Look for the male's specific glittering blue-green (not pure blue or purple) throat and the straight bill. Unlike the similar Blue-vented Hummingbird, the Mangrove Hummingbird is almost never seen far from salt-water mangrove forests.

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