In the revised classification to create monophyletic genera, the green-bellied hummingbird was moved by most taxonomic systems to the resurrected genus Saucerottia.

Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a dull golden-green head and back and olive green to brownish rump and uppertail coverts; the last sometimes have a purplish tinge.

[8] Subspecies S. v. viridigaster of the green-bellied hummingbird is found in north-central Colombia on the east slope of the Eastern Andes.

[8] The green-bellied hummingbird is basically sedentary but makes local movements to follow the availability of nectar sources.

The green-bellied hummingbird's song has been variously described as " a short dainty phrase which is repeated several times...tee-tee-dji-dji or tee-dji-tee-dji" and also as "a waif-like ta-da titi-da".

[8] The IUCN has assessed the green-bellied hummingbird as being of Least Concern, though its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing due to habitat destruction.

"It is also frequently seen along forest edges and in areas of anthropogenic disturbance, and is thus may not be as severely impacted by human habitat alteration as some species.