Anguilla Backyard Birding Part 11
Green-throated Carib
As Anguilla comes out of the 2023 Hurricane Season, we are experiencing cooler temperatures and gardens in full bloom thanks to copious amounts of rain. Flower blooms mean I am seeing activity from both species of hummingbirds, including the Green-throated Carib.
One of Anguilla’s Lesser Antilles Restricted Range Species, the Green-throated Carib is a magnificent bird. The male has a green throat, blue breast, and black chest.
While the female lacks the intense coloration of the male, it has a longer decurved bill. Both sexes display best when brilliant sunlight enhances their jewel tones.
In my backyard, the Green-throated Carib far outnumbers the Antillean Crested. Much larger at 4.5 inches, the Carib rules the garden and claims all the feeders and flowers. It is a backyard bully!
Birds of the World describes the breeding process as follows:
“Nest is cup-shaped, lined inside with soft fibers of cacti, seeds, and tree ferns and lined outside with bark and lichen; generally 2-9 m above the ground, often in the fork of a twig (Raffaele et al. 1998, Schuchmann 1999). 2 eggs (usually) white.
Incubation usually lasts 17-19 days, followed by 20-22 day fledgling period; female incubates. Normally single-brooded, but may have additional brood if rainy conditions persist (Raffaele et al. 1998, Schuchmann 1999). Juvenile birds remain close to adult, presumably female, for several weeks before dispersing. Birds breed in their second year (Schuchmann 1999).”
As I previously reported the Antillean Crested species creates nests around the yard in the most obvious places.
The Green-throated Carib is secretive in nest placement. Juvenile birds are seen frequently in the yard, and I suspect that nesting occurs in the thick canopy.
The nest photographs in this piece were taken around Anguilla’s salt ponds. Any opportunity to witness the reproductive cycle of this bird is a gift. Perhaps one day soon I will find a nest in my backyard. You will be the first to know when it happens!
Have you seen a Green-throated Carib during your visits to Anguilla? Please share your experiences in the comments.
Wonderful hummingbirds!
Spectacular! Are there only these two kinds of hummingbirds on Anguilla??