Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)
(aka Chrysuronia versicolor)

Brazilian name: beija-flor-de-banda-branca
Versicolored Emerald, Lençois, Bahia, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image Brazil

The Versicolored Emerald is found in the Amazon Basin in Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil but in small, disjunct areas. It is also found in north-east Brazil and in central and eastern Brazil. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. There are 5 sub-species and these photos, taken in the Chapada Diamantina of Bahia and at Ubatuba, show the nominate form.
Versicolored Emerald, Lençois, Bahia, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image They are found in relatively open areas including caatinga and campo cerrado as well as forest edges and parks and gardens. The bill is black with a partly pinkish lower mandible. The head and neck are glittering green of various shades from blue-green to pale green. I presume that this is where the name Versicolored came from. Underparts are white but with greenish spots down the flanks.
Versicolored Emerald, Lençois, Bahia, Brazil, March 2004 - click for larger image The upperparts are a bronzy green while the tail has a narrow pale grey tip.

It feeds on nectar and small insects.
Versicoloured Emerald, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, November 2006 - click for larger image
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