General

Green-breasted Mango: Medium-sized hummingbird. Male is glittering green overall with decurved, black bill, and purple chin; slightly-notched brown-purple tail has two bronze-green central tail feathers. Female has a black chin, a white-bordered, green median stripe running down breast and belly, and the tail feathers have white tips. Immature is similar to female, but shows cinnamon border between the white and green stripes of the underparts. Feeds on nectar and insects caught either mid-air or by gleaning. Direct, hovering flight with very rapid wingbeats.

Range and Habitat

Green-breasted Mango: Found near the coasts of Mexico and in Central America, populations also occur in northern South America. Unknown in the United States until a bird was identified in south Texas in 1988. While still a rare vagrant, they have been found a number of times since. Prefer open habitats such as forest edges, parks, gardens and backyards, where they will visit feeders.

Breeding and Nesting

Green-breasted Mango: Two white eggs are laid in a nest made of plant down decorated with bark and lichens, and built high near the tip of a bare branch on a leafless or sparsely leaved tree. Incubation ranges from 14 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Green-breasted Mango: Feeds at high and low levels on nectar; also eats insects, sometimes by hawking.

Vocalization

Green-breasted Mango: Call is a high, thin "tsi-si-si-si-si-si-si" or harsh, chipping "tcik, tcik, tcik."

Similar Species

Green-breasted Mango: Broad-billed Hummingbird has a black-tipped red bill, white undertail coverts, and blue-black tail. Mexican Violetear has blue on cheeks and breast and lacks purplish tail.