Day 60 – 365 Days of Photography

3-1-2014

Hummingbirds

Trinidad and Tobago is home to over 17 hummingbird species, with approximately 15 species being indigenous to the islands.  Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings.  They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

These hummingbirds are fast, and fly by so close to your head that you hear the buzz of their wings as they pass.  It was difficult capturing them because of their speed.  Most don’t rest on the feeders but instead dart with such precision, pulling the nectar equivalent through the tiny flower holes and then flitting away.

Here is a list of the known hummingbirds seen on the twin island.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rufous-breasted Hermit	Glaucis hirsuta
Green Hermit	Phaethornis guy	Trinidad only
Little Hermit	Phaethornis longuemareus	Trinidad only
White-tailed Sabrewing	Campylopterus ensipennis	Tobago only; Near-threatened
White-necked Jacobin	Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear	Colibri delphinae	Trinidad only
Green-throated Mango	Anthracothorax viridigula	Trinidad only
Black-throated Mango	Anthracothorax nigricollis
Green-throated Carib	Eulampis holosericeus	Trinidad only
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird	Chrysolampis mosquitus
Tufted Coquette	Lophornis ornatus	Trinidad only
Blue-chinned Sapphire	Chlorostilbon notatus
Blue-tailed Emerald	Chlorostilbon mellisugus	Trinidad only
Fork-tailed Woodnymph	Thalurania furcata	Trinidad only
Golden-tailed Sapphire	Chrysuronia oenone	Trinidad only
White-tailed Goldenthroat	Polytmus guainumbi	Trinidad only
White-chested Emerald	Agyrtria brevirostris	Trinidad only
Glittering-throated Emerald	Polyerata fimbriata	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental
Copper-rumped Hummingbird	Amazilia tobaci
Long-billed Starthroat	Heliomaster longirostris	Trinidad only
Rufous-shafted Woodstar	Chaetocercus jourdanii	Trinidad only; Rare/Accidental

I captured several species, but thought it fitting to show you this Copper Rumped Hummingbird.

Captured in New Grant, at the home of a fellow photo (Larry Khan) enthusiast, that has quite a budding bird sanctuary right in his own back yard.

Email contact: upborel@gmail.com

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