The Jamaican Mango Hummingbird (Anthracothorax mango) is a small hummingbird found exclusively in Jamaica. With an average body length of 7-8 cm and weight of 2-3 grams, it is one of the smallest hummingbird species in the world. This colorful bird gets its name from its propensity to feed on the nectar of mango flowers.
Physical Description
The Jamaican mango hummingbird has a long, slender bill that allows it to reach the nectar at the base of long, tubular flowers. The male has a velvety black throat, an iridescent purple crown and nape, an emerald green back, and a forked brownish-black tail. The female is similar but has a pale throat and lacks the bold purple crown. Both sexes have a white breast band and white tips on the outer tail feathers. The legs and feet are brownish-black.
Habitat and Distribution
The Jamaican mango hummingbird is endemic to the island of Jamaica in the Greater Antilles. It occupies a range of habitats across the island, including gardens, forests, plantations, and scrublands from sea level up to 1500 m elevation. This species seems to prefer forest edges, second growth, and areas with flowering plants. It is most abundant on the northern and eastern sides of Jamaica.
Feeding Habits
As the name suggests, the Jamaican mango hummingbird gets much of its nutrition from mango flowers. It uses its long bill to drink the nectar at the base of the flowers. This species also feeds on the flowers of other plants and small insects. Some favorite nectar sources include poui, coffee flowers, coralillo, and vervain. The hummingbird hovers in front of the flower and extends its bill inside to lap up the nectar with its tongue. It may catch small insects like fruit flies mid-air or pick them off leaves and branches.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season for the Jamaican mango hummingbird coincides with peak mango bloom between February and June. During courtship, the male performs aerial displays, flying in loops and dives to impress the female. Once paired, the female builds a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens on a low branch or tree fork. She lays two tiny white eggs and incubates them alone for 14-23 days. The chicks hatch with their eyes closed and no feathers. The female feeds them with regurgitated nectar and insects. They fledge in about 18-23 days, often leaving the nest before they can fly well.
Migration
The Jamaican mango hummingbird appears to be non-migratory, remaining on its breeding grounds year-round. Individuals may make seasonal movements to take advantage of flower blooms, but do not make substantial migrations. It’s lack of migration may relate to the consistent tropical climate and adequate year-round food sources.
Conservation Status
The Jamaican mango hummingbird has a relatively widespread distribution across its island range and is not currently considered threatened. Its population trend appears stable and it adapts readily to gardens and human settlement. While urbanization has reduced its forest habitat, flowering gardens and trees provide ample nectar sources. Clearing of mangoes and other native plants may negatively impact populations in some areas. Expanding urban areas could fragment populations. More research is needed on potential threats and population numbers over time. But presently the Jamaican mango hummingbird is of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Fun Facts
– The Jamaican mango hummingbird is the second smallest bird in the world after the bee hummingbird.
– It gets its name from feeding on mango flowers, but was originally called the black-billed streamertail before mangoes arrived in Jamaica.
– Males perform dramatic aerial displays, diving and looping up to 100 feet to court females.
– They have an incredibly fast metabolism, with a heart rate of up to 500 beats per minute.
– Their tiny nests, only 2 cm wide, are stretched tightly to the branches with spider silk.
– Jamaican mango hummingbirds may migrate vertically up and down the mountains but do not migrate off the island annually.
– They have adapted readily to gardens and feeders, becoming fairly tame around humans.
– Along with mangos, they pollinate other important Jamaican crops like coffee.
– To conserve energy at night, they go into torpor, lowering their body temperature and heart rate.
The diminutive Jamaican mango hummingbird may be tiny, but it plays an important ecological role pollinating flowers across Jamaica. It has captivated ornithologists with its unique island distribution and striking colors. While Jamaican hummingbirds face some threats from development and habitat loss, focused conservation efforts can ensure the species persists far into the future. Protecting mangoes, gardens, and native flowering plants will maintain essential food sources for this endemic Jamaican jewel.