The Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) is a species of hummingbird found in the Caribbean. Its range includes several islands in the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles.
Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Orthorhyncus cristatus
- Range: Islands in the Caribbean Sea
- Size: 7-8 cm long
- Distinctive features: Emerald green upperparts, white underparts, forked tail
The Antillean crested hummingbird is a small, flashy hummingbird named for its shaggy crest feathers. It is emerald green on its back and crown, with a white belly and forked tail. The male has an iridescent purple throat.
Islands of the Greater Antilles
The Greater Antilles is a grouping of larger islands in the Caribbean Sea that includes Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (containing Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico. The Antillean crested hummingbird can be found on several of these islands:
- Cuba: Found throughout the main island of Cuba.
- Jamaica: Common resident breeder in Jamaica.
- Hispaniola: Found on both the Dominican Republic and Haiti sides of the island.
- Puerto Rico: Common and breeding in Puerto Rico, including the offshore islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Population in Cuba
In Cuba, the Antillean crested hummingbird is described as a common resident breeder across the main island. Its preferred habitats include forests, woodland edges, plantations, and gardens. The population appears to be stable in Cuba.
Population in Jamaica
The Antillean crested hummingbird is abundant and widespread in Jamaica. It can be found across the island in a variety of habitat types, including gardens and urban areas. The species seems to have a stable population trend on Jamaica.
Population on Hispaniola
On the island of Hispaniola, the Antillean crested hummingbird is present on both the Haiti and Dominican Republic sides. It is described as a fairly common resident breeder in forest, scrub, and garden habitats. The population trend appears to be decreasing.
Population in Puerto Rico
This hummingbird is common and widespread breeding resident in Puerto Rico, including the main island and smaller offshore islands. Favored habitats are forest edges, plantations, parks, and gardens. The species has a stable population in Puerto Rico.
Islands of the Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles refers to the long chain of smaller islands that extends from the Virgin Islands down through the Caribbean Sea to Grenada. The range of the Antillean crested hummingbird includes these Lesser Antillean islands:
- U.S. Virgin Islands: Fairly common resident breeder in St. Croix.
- British Virgin Islands: Found on Virgin Gorda and Anegada.
- Anguilla: Considered a rare vagrant.
- St. Barthélemy: Recorded as a vagrant.
- St. Martin/Sint Maarten: Considered a rare vagrant.
- Saba: Recorded as a vagrant.
- St. Eustatius: Recorded as a vagrant.
- St. Kitts and Nevis: Found on both St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Antigua and Barbuda: Resident breeder in Antigua.
- Montserrat: Regular breeder in wooded and semi-wooded areas.
- Guadeloupe: Rare visitor to the islands of Guadeloupe.
- Dominica: Considered a rare vagrant.
- Martinique: Accidental visitor.
- St. Lucia: Considered a rare vagrant.
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Accidental visitor to St. Vincent.
- Grenada and the Grenadines: Accidental visitor to Grenada.
Population in the Virgin Islands
In the Virgin Islands, the Antillean crested hummingbird is present on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where is it described as a fairly common resident breeder. It is also found on Virgin Gorda and Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.
Population on St. Kitts and Nevis
The species is resident and breeds on both the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. It can be found in forest, woodland edges, and gardens on these islands.
Population on Montserrat
On the island of Montserrat, the Antillean crested hummingbird is described as a regular breeder in wooded and semi-wooded areas. The population trend appears to be stable.
Population on Antigua
The Antillean crested hummingbird is considered a resident breeder on Antigua island. Its preferred habitats include woodland edges and gardens.
Range Map
Here is a map highlighting the islands where the Antillean crested hummingbird can be found:
Table Summarizing Range by Island
| Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Cuba | Common resident breeder |
| Jamaica | Common resident breeder |
| Hispaniola | Fairly common resident breeder |
| Puerto Rico | Common resident breeder |
| U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix) | Fairly common resident breeder |
| British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda, Anegada) | Present |
| Anguilla | Rare vagrant |
| St. Barthélemy | Vagrant |
| St. Martin/Sint Maarten | Rare vagrant |
| Saba | Vagrant |
| St. Eustatius | Vagrant |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Resident breeder |
| Antigua | Resident breeder |
| Montserrat | Regular breeder |
| Guadeloupe | Rare visitor |
| Dominica | Rare vagrant |
| Martinique | Accidental visitor |
| St. Lucia | Rare vagrant |
| St. Vincent | Accidental visitor |
| Grenada | Accidental visitor |
Preferred Habitats
Across its Caribbean range, the Antillean crested hummingbird utilizes a variety of habitats, including:
- Forest edges
- Woodland borders
- Plantations such as coffee, cacao, palm trees
- Gardens and parks
- Semi-open areas
- Scrublands
This species seems to prefer semi-open habitats along habitat edges over dense forest interiors. It is also common in human-modified landscapes such as plantations and gardens.
Adaptability to Habitats
The Antillean crested hummingbird demonstrates adaptability to different habitat types across its Caribbean range. While forest edge is optimal, the species also utilizes scrublands, open areas, and urban gardens and parks.
Dependence on Flowers
Flowers are vitally important to providing nectar for this small hummingbird. Favorite nectar sources include flowers from shrubs, trees, epiphytes, and herbs. Salvia, Hamelia, Heliconia, and banana flowers are documented favorites.
Threats and Conservation
There are several potential threats to Antillean crested hummingbird populations:
- Habitat loss from development, logging, etc.
- Use of pesticides which reduce insect prey
- Competition from invasive bird species in some areas
- Extreme weather events such as hurricanes
- Climate change affecting nectar supplies
However, the Antillean crested hummingbird remains widespread and fairly common through much of its Caribbean range. Ongoing conservation efforts that are recommended include:
- Protection of forest and woodland habitats
- Sustainable management of plantations and gardens
- Predator and invasive species control
- Adding native nectar plants to gardens
- Public education campaigns
Habitat Protection
Protecting natural forest and woodland areas from excessive logging or development is important for maintaining habitat for Antillean crested hummingbirds, especially its preferred nesting habitat along forest edges.
Sustainable Land Management
Practicing sustainable management strategies for agricultural plantations and gardens can provide important habitat for these hummingbirds. This includes using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches instead of heavy pesticide use.
Invasive Species Control
Controlling invasive species that may compete with the Antillean crested hummingbird is also recommended in some areas, such as controlling shrikes in Puerto Rico.
Climate Resilience
As climate change accelerates, conservation strategies that increase resilience are important. Adding drought-tolerant native nectar plants to gardens can help provide food sources for the hummingbirds.
Research Needs
Some research needs for this species include:
- Updated surveys on precise distribution
- Population monitoring and trend assessment
- Studies on feeding ecology and nesting
- Impact of hurricanes and climate change on populations
- Genetic diversity across different island populations
Distribution Surveys
Conducting updated surveys to delineate the precise distribution and status of Antillean crested hummingbird populations on each island would help inform specific conservation actions.
Population Monitoring
Long-term population monitoring projects are needed to detect any significant declines across the species’ Caribbean range. Banding studies can assess population trends and turnover rates.
Climate Resilience Research
Research on how Antillean crested hummingbird populations are affected by extreme weather and climate shifts would shed light on which populations are most vulnerable to future climate change impacts.
Summary and Conclusion
In summary, the Antillean crested hummingbird has a wide distribution across the islands of the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It is found from Cuba to Grenada, being common on larger islands like Jamaica and Puerto Rico while vagrants reach islands further south. Preferred habitats include forest edges, woodlands, plantations, and gardens with adequate nectar flowers. While still a fairly common species, there are conservation concerns including habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. With proper protection and management of key habitats, as well as ongoing population monitoring, the outlook for this flashy Caribbean hummingbird can remain positive.
