Western Emerald

The Western Emerald is found primarily in western Ecuador, where it inhabits dry to semi-humid forest edges, gardens, and open woodlands between 600 and 2,700 meters, with most records between 600 and 1,800 meters. It is locally common in suitable habitat, often seen feeding solitarily at lower and mid-levels, and readily visits feeders in semi-urban areas. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population trend is uncertain and may be affected by habitat alteration. Natural history observations highlight its agile nectar-feeding behavior, occasional insect consumption, and breeding activity timed to coincide with peak flowering, though nesting details remain poorly documented.