The green hummingbird is a small, brightly colored bird found in many parts of the Caribbean. With its emerald green back and wings, the green hummingbird is easy to identify as it flits among flowers. But there are several different species and subspecies of green hummingbirds found across the islands of the Caribbean, each with its own range, characteristics, and behaviors. Getting to know these hummingbirds takes some detective work to sort out their identification and natural history.
Major Species of Green Hummingbirds in the Caribbean
There are four main species of green hummingbirds found in the Caribbean islands:
Vervain Hummingbird
The vervain hummingbird (Mellisuga minima) is the smallest hummingbird in the world at just 2 inches long and weighing 2-3 grams. True to its name, it loves feeding on vervain flowers and other small blooms. It is an endemic species found only on the islands of Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. The male has an emerald green back and crown, with a red-purple throat patch used in display. The female is greener overall.
Green-throated Carib
The green-throated carib (Eulampis holosericeus) is found on islands across the Eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands down to Grenada and Barbados. The male has a metallic green throat and breast, a blue crown, and dark wings. The female has a paler gray-green throat and whitish chest. Two subspecies are recognized, with the lesser Antillean green-throated carib (E. h. holosericeus) being more common in the northern islands.
Green-breasted Mango
The green-breasted mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) is a larger hummingbird at 3.5 inches long found from Puerto Rico down to Trinidad and Tobago. The male is unmistakable with its bright green head, throat, and breast contrasting with a black mask and belly. Females are similar but less vividly colored. They prefer open habitats and are attracted to large blooms.
Green Mango
The green mango (Anthracothorax viridis) is found in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Cayman Islands. It resembles the green-breasted mango but has a blue rather than black belly and vent. Females are duller gray-green overall. Two subspecies are recognized, the Cuban green mango (A. v. viridis) and Bahama green mango (A. v. cyanopogon).
Identification Tips
Identifying between green hummingbird species in the Caribbean requires paying close attention to differences in size, plumage colors, range, behavior, and preferred habitat:
- The vervain hummingbird is tiny and found only on a few islands, while the green-throated carib and green-breasted mango are larger and have wider ranges.
- The green mango is the only species with a blue belly and is restricted to the western Caribbean islands.
- Females tend to be duller versions of the males, with gray-green and white replacing bright emerald and blue plumage.
- Caribs are more aggressive, mangos prefer open areas, while vervains stick to scrublands.
Using a field guide or app with good photos, maps, and description can help pin down the exact species. Paying attention to diagnostic field marks like throat and belly color is key.
Ecology and Behavior
Despite their small size, green hummingbirds play important ecological roles in the Caribbean through their unique adaptations and behaviors:
Feeding
Green hummingbirds have long slender bills and split tongues adapted for reaching nectar deep inside flowers. They can lick up to 13 times per second!Preferred flowers include:
- Vervain
- Heliconia
- Hibiscus
- Bromeliads
- Agave
They also eat small insects for protein.
Flight and Metabolism
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any vertebrate which enables them to hover in place and fly backwards or upside down. Their wings beat up to 70 times per second! To power this, they must eat constantly throughout the day, visiting hundreds of flowers.
Pollination
By feeding on and moving between so many flowers, green hummingbirds play a vital role as pollinators. As they collect nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and bills and is transferred to the next flower. This pollination service allows many plants to reproduce and spread.
Defense
Despite their small size, hummingbirds are aggressive and territorial, especially when defending a food source or nest. They will chase off much larger birds! Their rapid flying allows them to evade most predators.
Migration
Some Caribbean green hummingbird species, like the green-breasted mango, are migratory. Their ability to fly long distances across water is impressive. They migrate from Caribbean islands to Central America, Mexico, Florida, and even as far as Louisiana.
Nesting
Green hummingbirds build tiny cup-shaped nests out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens. They lay just two pea-sized eggs. The nests are well camouflaged in trees and scrub.
Threats and Conservation
Major threats facing green hummingbirds in the Caribbean include:
- Habitat loss from development, logging, and agriculture
- Pesticide use reducing insect food sources
- Invasive species competing for nectar sources
- Climate change impacts
- Collisions with buildings and windows
Protecting remaining native vegetation, reducing pesticide use, and policy changes to protect hummingbird habitat can benefit conservation. Citizen scientists can also help by providing data on hummingbird populations and building wildlife-friendly gardens. Several green hummingbird species are still relatively common across their Caribbean ranges. But continued habitat loss could put increasing pressure on their populations in the future.
Conclusion
Green hummingbirds provide an iconic splash of emerald in the Caribbean landscape. Their incredible hovering flight, vital pollination services, and feisty behavior make them fascinating birds to observe and study. Carefully noting field marks like size and plumage patterns helps identify the species found across different islands. Protecting flower-rich native habitats can ensure green hummingbirds continue brightening Caribbean forests and gardens with their jewel-colored plumage for years to come. Watching a male vervain hummingbird buzz by in a flash of green on Jamaica or seeing a migrating green-breasted mango feeding on agave in Puerto Rico provide memorable wildlife encounters. Getting to better know the green hummingbirds of the Caribbean reveals the diversity and natural wonders each island supports through these energetic, diminutive birds.