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!

Naturalist Notes: Rufous-shafted Woodstar hummingbird

The Rufous-shafted Woodstar hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in Trinidad. It measures just 2.75 inches in length, similar in size to the Tufted Coquette.

This species is extremely rare. In the past I have only seen them the in dry season at Asa Wright Nature Center, during the months of March through May. They hardly ever visit the hummingbird feeders, spending most of their time in the forest feeding on flowers. It is indeed one of the shyest species of hummingbirds and very little is known about them. Like the Tufted Coquette it is often times confused with a large Bee!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird

Out of the seventeen species of hummingbirds recorded for Trinidad and Tobago, the White-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird is the only species found in Tobago and not Trinidad.

This species was believed to be extinct after Hurricane Flora hit Tobago in 1963, but has since made a great recovery.

A few years ago we went birding in Tobago for the first time. We were lucky enough to meet up with a researcher who was studying these hummingbirds on the islands. With much anticipation, we took a hike up to Gilpin Trace, after about twenty minutes or some of walking we stopped for a bit. Suddenly a large hummingbird zoomed passed us, like most species it appeared fearless and inquisitive, and no doubt it was indeed the White-tailed Sabrewing!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Blue-chinned Sapphire Hummingbird

My favorite hummingbird is the Blue-chinned Sapphire. To me they seem unlike most hummingbirds, in that this species is extremely timid.  In all my years as a naturalist I have never observed them chasing off, or aggressively defending their territory from others. In fact, they are the ones often bullied and harassed, this may explain why they hardly ever hang around.

This remarkable species has a sparkling blue-chinned, which seems even more metallic in the sunlight. The males throat and chest is shimmering green, both sexes have white thigh feathers. The Blue-chinned Sapphire can sometimes be confused with the Copper-rumped hummingbird, but lacks the coppery color.

Whenever I see a Blue-chinned Sapphire it always puts a smile on my face.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Ruby Topaz Hummingbird

The Ruby Topaz hummingbird is found in both Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad, they are often observed in rural areas, and are also known to make their way to higher elevations in the forest when food is scarce.

While visiting Tobago a few years ago, we stayed at a place called Adventure Farms, owned and run by a wonderful couple Ean and Marion Mackay. We saw over twelve male Ruby Topaz hummingbirds vying for a few feeders, it was just amazing! Normally just seeing one of these extraordinary males takes my breath away, so imagine seeing this many, I was literally gasping….

The males are quite distinctive and very flamboyant. He has an iridescent ruby head and nape, with a golden-orange throat and breast. Sometimes he appears black, but once the sunlight hits him, he’s in full glory, indeed quite spectacular! The female Ruby Topaz, like most hummingbirds, is not as colorful as their male counterparts. She is mainly bronze green and gray. They are just 3.5 inches in length. 

© Denise Etienne 

 

Naturalist Notes: White-necked Jacobin Hummingbird

The White-necked Jacobin hummingbird is considered one of the more aggressive species in Trinidad. They are usually found at higher elevations in the forest, seldom seen in the lowlands. It is also observed in Tobago.

 This is a sexually dimorphic species. The males have immaculate white feathers on their nape, stomach and tail, while the rest of their body is bluish and greenish in color. The females look totally different, they are generally greenish in color with a speckled throat. She easily goes unnoticed. They are just about 4.5 inches in length.

 One of the amazing things I’ve observed about this species is that when they are sipping sugar solution from hummingbird feeders, the males hardly ever perch to feed! They mostly remain hovering in front of the feeder. I somehow believe this is their way of being readily agile to defend their territory from other species. So next time you happen to see a White-necked Jacobin look closer you might be surprised! 

© Denise Etienne