Glittering-Throated Emerald Hummingbirds / Beija-Flor de Garganta Verde / Amazilia fimbriata

Introduction

This blog is intended to celebrate nature at its finest, and what could be finer than hummingbirds? They are a perfect example of the tropical biodiversity I am so interested in.  They are all, without exception, beautiful animals as well as highly visible.  But have you ever tried photographing one? No easy task.
Here in the former World Cup host city of Cuiabá you can see hummingbirds every day. When I was looking for a house to buy in 2003 one of the factors that caused me to decide on the house that I bought was the fact that one of the first things I saw when I walked on to the property was a hummingbird coming down to a hummingbird feeder. I have a handwritten note written by my wife in my field guide that this was identified as a Glittering-throated Emerald Hummingbird (Amazilia fimbriata). In over a decade of observing Brazilian wildlife and especially bird life, and concentrating my efforts around Cuiabá and the Pantanal, it is the Glittering-Throated Emerald Hummingbird that I see consistently around here, to the exclusion of all other species of Hummingbird.

Attracting the Glittering-Throated Emerald Hummingbird to Your Garden.

Very little is known about the Glittering-Throated Emerald Hummingbird.  But the enthusiast can have fun with them.  Here in Cuiabá you can buy hummingbird feeders from pet shops. These are little plastic water fountains that come in a variety of colours and which can be bought in pet shops locally.  There are several problems with them. is that they get dirty very easily and the water quickly goes slimey of not replaced on a daily basis.  Also, they attract

• They get dirty easily
• The solution inside quickly gets slimey
• It is very hard to get the sugar solution correct
• The sugar solution needs changing on a daily basis
• If you don't change the water on a daily basis, the sugar solution attracts ants.
• The feeder is labour-intensive
• It is not guaranteed that you will be successful in attracting hummingbirds.

Cacti are well-known for their beautiful flowers. The climate in Cuiabá lends itself to their cultivation, and their flowers attract the Glittering-Throated Emerald Hummingbird

This hibiscus is also excellent for attacting hummingbirds.

Conclusion

After a brief period I gave up trying to attract hummingbirds by using feeders.  One day I may try again. But in the meantime I have a flower garden and that is just as effective as any hummingbird feeder. Here in this city there is na anual flower festival and now an orchid festival, so it is easier than ever to attract hummingbirds.  The Glittering Throated Emerald is very common and not of conservation concern.  But even though it is not an endangered species it still gets my undivided attention and appreciation when I see one.