Naturalist Notes: Golden-olive Woodpecker

Golden Olive Woodpecker 

There are 5 species of woodpeckers in Trinidad. Pictured above is the Golden-olive which is one of the smaller woodpeckers, and is found on both islands. Most male woodpeckers  have a red malar stripe (from the base of the bill to the side of the neck) while the the female lacks this trait. This species primarily feed on insects, but will occasionally take fruits.  

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: White-Chested Emerald Hummingbird

One of the most aggressive species of hummingbird I have encountered while birding in the rainforest is the White-Chested Emerald. They intensely defend their territory by chasing away other birds, even people at times. They are indeed fierce! It is not recorded in Tobago.

This is a monomorphic species, which means the sexes are similar in appearance. They are just about 3.75 inches in length. Their upperparts are mainly green fading into a bronze rump and tail, (from the back it looks very similar to the Copper-rumped hummingbird, but lacks their distinct blue tail). The underparts are white with greenish sides. This species is quite vocal with no particular tune.

So folks, this wraps-up the 17 hummingbirds of Trinidad. I hope you all enjoyed, please feel free to ask any questions!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Long-billed Starthroat Hummingbird

I have seen the Long-billed Starthroat hummingbird mostly in forested areas in Trinidad. It is not recorded in Tobago.

This infrequent species is just about 4.5 inches in length. The sexes are generally bronze-green in color on the upperside and grayish on the underside, both have white moustachial streaks. The males have a distinctive turquoise crown with a reddish throat, while the females have a greenish crown with a black throat. When identifying this species I particularly look for a white jagged streak on the back, this is not usually noted in the field guides. 

Their straight bill is reminiscent of a sword because it’s so long!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Brown Violetear Hummingbird

The Brown Violetear hummingbird spends most of its time in the mountainous rainforests of Trinidad. It is not recorded for Tobago.

This species is just about 4.75 inches in length.  It is mainly seen feeding in the canopy on Immortelle flowers and occasional epiphytes, though I have also seen them on hummingbird feeders. The sexes are very similar in appearance, mostly brown above and gray below with a violet patch on the ear-coverts, and a sparkling green and blue throat stripe.

I have observed this species several times during the months of December through March at the Asa Wright Nature Center, which is just about 1200 ft, other times of the year it is found at higher elevations over 2500ft.

 © Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Blue-tailed Emerald Hummingbird

The Blue-tailed Emerald is yet another species that is not found in the rainforest and is considered somewhat uncommon. It spends most of its time in semi-open savannah and scrub areas. It is not recorded in Tobago.

This species is just about 3 inches in length. The sexes are similar, both are overall green in color with white thigh feathers and a forked blue tail. The female also has a blackish ear-patch.

This species is one that I am yet to see in person, according to its description it is very similar to the Blue-chinned Sapphire, which is my favorite hummingbird.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: White-tailed Goldenthroat Hummingbird

In keeping with hummingbird species that are hardly ever found in the rainforest, and somewhat uncommon, the White-tailed Goldenthroat is a perfect example. It mostly frequents marshy savannahs or open grassy areas near water. It is not recorded for Tobago.

This species is just about 4 inches in length, both sexes are mainly green in color with a slightly decurved bill and facial streaks (above and below their eyes). The male streaks are white, with a sparkling green throat and white outer tail feathers. The female streaks and stomach is rufous in color. This particular species is one that I am yet to see in person.

 

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Green-throated Mango Hummingbird

The Green-throated Mango Hummingbird is usually found in mangrove swamps especially in Caroni. I have spent most of my birding years in the rainforest habitat of Trinidad, making occasional trips to other habitats on the island. Hence, I have only gotten mere glimpses of this species.

It is just about 5 inches in length. The male Green-throated mango is overall green in color, with a black line on his chest, and a purple tail.  The female of this species is very similar to the Black-throated Mango, I read it’s hard to tell them apart.

This is one species that I have hardly ever seen perched. 

© Denise Etienne 

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 

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 

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