El Mango Garganta Negra es una colorida especie de colibrí que habita en los bosques de Colombia. Tiene la garganta negra, el cuerpo verde y el pico largo y curvado. Revolotea cerca de las flores y se alimenta de néctar con su larga lengua. Es conocido por su vuelo enérgico y su comportamiento territorial. Muy extendido pero poco común, es un colibrí bastante grande y oscuro con el pico ligeramente curvado. El macho es principalmente verde con negro que se extiende por toda la garganta y el vientre. Las hembras tienen las partes inferiores blancas con una línea oscura en el centro. En ambos sexos destaca la cola violácea. Es muy similar al Pechiverde, pero su área de distribución coincide muy poco. Se encuentra en hábitats abiertos, como bordes de bosque, bosques abiertos y matorrales de segundo crecimiento.

Hábitats y distribución

The Black-throated Mango inhabits a variety of environments including forest edges, open woodlands, gardens, and plantations. It is often found near flowering plants and can adapt to both lowland and montane regions up to 1,500 meters above sea level. This hummingbird prefers areas with abundant nectar sources, which provide necessary energy for its active lifestyle. Geographically, the Black-throated Mango is distributed across a wide range in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, including countries like Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Its range extends as far south as northern Argentina and Brazil, and it is also present on some Caribbean islands. This broad distribution indicates its adaptability to different climates and habitats within the neotropical zone.

Comportamiento y reproducción

The Black-throated Mango exhibits intriguing social and reproductive behaviors that emphasize territoriality and solitary nest-building by females. Males are known to establish and vigorously defend their territories, often engaging in aggressive aerial displays to ward off rivals and attract females. Unlike many hummingbirds that display polygyny, Black-throated Mango males do not form lasting pair bonds with females and primarily focus on mating opportunities within their territory. Females undertake the responsibility of nest construction and rearing the young alone. They typically build their nests on tree branches, using plant fibers and spider silk to create a small cup-like structure. After a brief courtship and mating period, the female lays two tiny eggs, which she incubates for about 15-18 days. Upon hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for several weeks, during which the mother tirelessly feeds them with regurgitated nectar and insects until they are ready to fledge and become independent.

Dieta

Néctar, pequeños insectos

Colores

Negro, verde

Datos curiosos

Tiene una llamada distintiva, una serie de charlas rápidas y agudas que suenan como "chee-chee-chee".

Estado y esfuerzos de conservación

The conservation status of the Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis) is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Population trends are considered stable, with this hummingbird species widely distributed across northern and central South America through to southern Central America. Primary threats include habitat loss due to deforestation and land-use changes, although the species demonstrates resilience by adapting to secondary forests and human-modified landscapes. Conservation efforts for the Black-throated Mango focus on habitat protection and maintaining the ecological integrity of regions where it commonly resides. Environmental organizations work towards preserving large tracts of tropical and subtropical forests, and some regions implement reforestation projects to restore degraded areas. Public education and community engagement initiatives are also pivotal, striving to promote co-existence with hummingbird species and discouraging practices that lead to habitat destruction.