Green Thorntail
Discosura conversii
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusDiscosura (Thorntails)
- SpeciesDiscosura conversii (Green Thorntail)
About the Green Thorntail
The green thorntail (Discosura conversii) is a small hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. The green thorntail and three other species were at one time placed in genus Popelairia but since the late 1900s that genus has been merged into the present Discosura. Some authors have further merged Discosura into Lophornis but this treatment has not been widely accepted. Though early authors proposed two subspecies for the green thorntail, current taxonomies treat it as monotypic.
Male green thorntails are about 9.5 to 10.2 cm (3.7 to 4.0 in) long and females about 6.6 to 7.5 cm (2.6 to 3.0 in). Five individuals whose sex was not recorded had an average weight of 3.0 g (0.11 oz). The adult male has a dark green crown and a lighter more metallic green back. The coppery bronze rump has bluish black inclusions and a white band across it. The bluish black tail is deeply forked and the outer feathers are very narrow, giving the species its common name. The throat is bright metallic green and the breast and belly mostly darker green with the center of the breast... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Darién National Park
Pale-bellied Hermit
Phaethornis anthophilus
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Polyerata amabilis
White-vented Plumeleteer
Chalybura buffonii
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird
Chrysuronia coeruleogularis
Black-throated Mango
Anthracothorax nigricollis
White-necked Jacobin
Florisuga mellivora
Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Chlorestes julie
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Amazilia tzacatl
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
Phaeochroa cuvierii
Long-billed Starthroat
Heliomaster longirostris
Long-billed Hermit
Phaethornis longirostris
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Glaucis hirsutus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 2 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Tenorio Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 5 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 6 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 7 | Darién National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 8 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 9 | Poás Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 10 | Los Quetzales National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 11 | Chagres National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama | |
| 12 | Bastimentos Island National Marine Park | 🇵🇦 Panama |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Green Thorntail in Darién National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Green Thorntail sighting in Darién National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Green Thorntail in Darién National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Green Thorntail in Darién National Park in our monthly data.