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
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