Small and rather plain hummingbird of tropical lowland forest and edge. Feeds low to high, often at edges and out in clearings. Both sexes look ‘female-plumaged,’ with green upperparts, white underparts; reddish color on base of bill can be difficult to see. Tail drab greenish with faint dusky band near tip. Lacks bold white tail corners of other small hummingbirds, such as female Ruby-throated.