Naturalist Notes: Black-throated Mango Hummingbird

The Black-throated Mango Hummingbird can be found in both Trinidad and Tobago. It is just about 4.5 inches in length. It is a dimorphic species, where the appearance of the sexes varies. The male has bright green upperparts, his throat and chest are black, bordered with blue-green, and has a purple tail. The female has bronze-green upperparts, while her throat and chest white with a prominent black central stripe, and has a reddish tail.

This species is fairly common on both islands. Frequently seen feeding on flowers of Immortelle, Poui, and Hibiscus.  In the rainy season especially I have observed them hawking for insects, in particular rain flies (a.k.a. termites).

Also, just a note, the female Black-throated Mango Hummingbird is exquisitely painted by Beatrice Bork, and is the Cover girl for our book “Birds of Trinidad”.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Little Hermit Hummingbird

The Little Hermit Hummingbird is the smallest in the group of Hermits found in Trinidad, it’s not recorded in Tobago. It is about 4 inches in length, the upperparts are mainly bronze-green, and the underpants brownish in color.

This species is in same genus as the Green Hermit, hence they are similar in shape. Both have a long and decurved bill, with elongated central tail feathers. They are also known to form communal leks to attract the females.

Some of their favorite flowers are Shrimp plant, Lipstick plant and a variety of Gingers.

From my many years experience as a naturalist, of the three species of Hermits, the Little Hermit is the least frequently seen in the rainforest.

© Denise Etienne 

Our book “Birds of Trinidad”

 

For the last few years I have been collaborating with an extremely talented artist, Beatrice Bork. We have been working on compiling a book, with both her watercolor paintings and my poetry. Beatrice first came to Trinidad via the Don Eckelberry Award for her achievements in bird art. 

I am happy to announce that the book is finally completed!  We both feel a great sense of accomplishment. To all those who have been supportive, thank you!

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of our book please click here

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Naturalist Notes: Rufous-breasted Hermit Hummingbird

Of the three species of Hermit Hummingbirds found in Trinidad, the Rufous-breasted Hermit is medium in size, just about 5 inches in length. It is also the only Hermit found in Tobago.

This Hermit has a brown head, while the rest of the upperparts are mainly greenish, and the underpants mainly rufous in color. They also have a rounded tail with a white band on the edge, unlike the Green Hermit that has long central tail feathers.

One of their favorite flowering plants is Heliconias. They are well adapted to pollinating the flower because of their long and decurve bills.

Early one morning I took a walk out to the “Clear water pool” at the Asa Wright Nature Center, just over the water on the bank was a Fern plant. There, I got a glimpse of a female Rufous-breasted Hermit as she was constructing her nest on one of the hanging leaves, and I thought how lucky I was to see this little miracle of nature!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Green Hermit Hummingbird

The largest hummingbird in Trinidad is the Green Hermit.  It measures 6.5 inches in length, it’s actually larger than the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl! This hummingbird is mainly green in color. They have a rather long and decurved bill, as well as long and tapered tail feathers that's white-tipped.

The Green Hermit hummingbird spends most of its time in the undergrowth, feeding on flowers like Heliconias and Gingers, they are also known to take insects. Occasionally they do visit hummingbird feeders but don’t hang around for a long time.

A few years ago I was out on a Christmas Bird Count in La Laja, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon a “Lek”.  A Lek is a gathering of males species, for the purposes of competitive courtship. 

© Denise Etienne 

“Reflections”

"Reflections"

I love looking at reflections in the water. It sometimes makes you see the object that you’re focused on in a totally different perspective!