About Chlorostilbon assimilis Lawrence, 1861
Common Name and Basic Measurements
Chlorostilbon assimilis, commonly known as the garden emerald, is 7.8 to 8.5 cm (3.1 to 3.3 in) long and weighs approximately 3 to 4.1 g (0.11 to 0.14 oz).
Adult Male Upperparts
Adult males have dark metallic green upperparts, with bluish green uppertail coverts. Their forked tail is blue-black, and the central tail feathers have a light bluish green gloss.
Adult Male Underparts
The underparts of adult males are a brighter metallic green than their upperparts, sometimes with a light blue sheen, and they have white thigh tufts.
Adult Female Upperparts
Adult females have bright metallic green to bronze green upperparts, with bluish green uppertail coverts. Their tail is blue-black, with dull metallic green central feathers and pale gray tips on the outer feathers.
Adult Female Head and Underparts
Females have dusky cheeks, a white or grayish white spot behind the eye, and pale gray underparts.
Juvenile Male Appearance
Juvenile males resemble adult females, but have darker gray underparts.
Species Distribution
The garden emerald is distributed across southwestern Costa Rica, the Pacific coast of Panama, and the offshore Coiba and Pearl islands.
Habitat Types
It inhabits open landscapes including woodland edges, hedgerows, streamside thickets, scrublands, and gardens.
Elevational Range
It is a lowland species, occurring from sea level up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in Costa Rica and up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in Panama.
