Fun Honduran Emerald Facts For Kids

Devangana Rathore
Oct 20, 2022 By Devangana Rathore
Originally Published on Sep 02, 2021
Edited by Katherine Cook
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi
There are so many fun Honduran emerald facts to know.

If there was a list of some of the most beautiful birds in the world, the Honduras emerald would definitely feature on this list! They are small birds, endemic to the island of Honduras.

They have brilliant colors with deep green, along with cream, blue, and warmer shades of red and peach on the occasion. Their colors allow them to hide in the thick forests where they have a habitat.

Much like other members of the hummingbird family, they primarily drink nectar from flowers. Males and females have similar general appearances, however males' necks are frequently more colorful.

The females' bills are normally completely blackish. The adult hummingbird species have a turquoise blue hue around their necks, whilst immature birds do not.

How many fun facts do you know about this bird? Brush up on your bird knowledge with this fun article, or check out other cool birds like the chestnut-sided warbler and mourning warbler. Do not forget to share with your friends and happy reading!

Honduran Emerald Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Honduran emerald?

The Honduran emerald (Amazilia luciae) is a type of bird.

What class of animal does a Honduran emerald belong to?

The Honduran emerald (Amazilia luciae) belong to the class Aves, the class of birds.

How many Honduran emeralds are there in the world?

These birds are only endemic to Honduras and this species is classified as Vulnerable due to the small range of population of 10,000-19,999 birds. This is thought to be diminishing due to habitat destruction.

Where does a Honduran emerald live?

Honduran emerald birds live in the woods.

What is a Honduran emerald's habitat?

The habitat of the Honduran emerald still needs to be thoroughly investigated, needing further research into habitat resource selection and quality as well as this species' breeding biology. Existing research suggests that thorn shrub and evergreen thorn forests in tropical arid and tropical arid forest life regions are preferred.

The nest location of this species is in open to thick thorn scrubland.

The elevation of vegetation in the area has been found to influence Honduran emerald's site selection. On the other hand, some described the area as an agroecosystem between humid lowland forest and dry forest, with broad-leaved plants and trees.

The magpie bird habitat is in a temperate environment.

Who do Honduran emeralds live with?

Honduran emeralds are isolated in all areas of life except breeding, as is usual of hummingbirds. They don't dwell in flocks or migrate in groups, and they don't have a pair bond.

How long does a Honduran emerald live?

The predicted lifespan of this hummingbird species that is endemic to Honduras is undeclared, just like cliff swallow birds.

How do they reproduce?

The majority of breeding takes place between January and May. After copulation, a male will instantly detach from the female.

The female is in charge of constructing the spacious, cup-shaped nest. The average clutch comprises two white eggs that the female incubates while the male guards his territory and eats flowers. Offspring birds are born blind, immobile, and devoid of any down.

The female is the only one who looks after the chicks and feeds them regurgitated food. Once the chicks are around 7-10 days old, they depart the nest.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the Honduran emerald (Amazilia luciae) is Endangered due to its small population that is declining, according to the IUCN Red List.

Honduran Emerald Fun Facts

What do Honduran emeralds look like?

This hummingbird has a long tail and sleek body. Green heads and creamy bellies characterize the majority of these birds.

The bill has a dark point and is black on top and a brilliant red on the bottom. A lovely turquoise blue tint, sometimes speckled gray, runs from the throat to their upper chest. The plumage is bright orange on the periphery and fades to a paler orange as it approaches the body.

How cute are they?

The world's tiniest bird species is charming and endearing.

How do they communicate?

Repeated metallic or buzzy chatters or ticks have been heard as methods of vocal communication of this bird.

How big is a Honduran emerald?

The length range of this Honduran hummingbird species is approximately 4 in (10 cm). The Anna's hummingbird length measures between 3.9-4.3 in (9.9-10.9 cm). The Honduras bird is a little bit smaller than the Anna's hummingbird species.

How fast can a Honduran emerald fly?

The Honduran hummingbird's flight speed is unknown. On the other hand, other birds in the hummingbird species can fly at a speed of 25-30 mph (40.2-48.2 kph). Hummingbirds with a habitat in tropical and subtropical dry forests can fly at the height of 1.64-32.8 ft (0.5-10 m).

How much does a Honduran emerald weigh?

The weight of this hummingbird species found only in Honduras is not known.

What are the male and female names of the species?

These hummingbirds, which are endemic to Honduras, do not have a particular male and female species name.

What would you call a baby Honduran emerald?

Baby hummingbirds in this species of North-Central Honduras have no particular name. Similar to other birds, we can call them chicks.

What do they eat?

The Honduran emerald is designed to feed at least 14 different plant species and worms and has been observed flying for up to 60 seconds to collect insects. These insects were mostly found along organ pipe cacti's trunks.

As a result, this bird is a hybrid and is both an insectivore and a herbivore. The birds forage at the height of 1.64-32.8 ft (0.5-10 m) above the ground.

The nectar of Pedilanthus camporum, which flowers all year, is the main source of food for them. However, because of deforestation and the usage of insecticides, the population has been steadily declining due to a decrease in food supplies.

Are they poisonous?

This hummingbird species of Honduras, a country in Central America, are not venomous.

Would they make a good pet?

It is illegal to keep this bird as a pet because it is a Vulnerable species like the calliope hummingbird.

Did you know...

According to a new rediscovery by the Santa Barbara Department, these birds were spotted once again in western Honduras, the first time since 1935. The species was downlisted from a Critically Endangered species to an Endangered species as a result of this.

New conservation actions are required to safeguard the Honduran emerald's newly established places and maintain current protection efforts.

This hummingbird that is found in North-Central Honduras is not a predator but shows territorial behavior. Rufous hummingbirds are one of the most hostile birds.

The Endangered Honduran emerald species is the nation's sole endemic bird, with a gleaming blueish-green throat and chest area. It's also one of the few Central American birds that are endemic to only one country.

The national bird of Honduras is the scarlet macaw.

How do Honduran emerald hummingbirds contribute to the environment?

The Honduran emerald can be found in thorny woodlands alongside shrubs and cactus species, and they are used for flowering resources, eating, and nesting.

How long has the Honduran emerald hummingbird been endangered?

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, lists the Honduran emerald (Amazilia luciae) as Endangered. Regrettably, 90 percent of the emerald's native habitat has been destroyed due to agriculture, including damage by cattle grazing.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these palm warbler facts and blue jay fun facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable honduran emerald coloring pages.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Devangana Rathore

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana Rathore picture

Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.

Read full bio >
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi Raturi picture

Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.

Read full bio >