Hummingbird - Trinidad (1 Viewer)

[Dabs]

The hummingbird in the attached photos has been coming to my hummingbird feeders since last year. In my opinion it does not resemble any of the ten (10) hummingbird species that frequent my feeders. Whilst hummers are generally aggressive, I notice this bird seems to be subject to more than normal aggressive action by other hummers. It is a relatively small hummingbird and I estimate its size to be between 9cm - 11cm.

The photos attached were taken between 11th February 2025 and today, 4th March 2025.

 

[njlarsen]

Are you sure this is one bird? Some photos show a white vent and others seems to show a green vent/undertail area

 

[Dabs]

Are you sure this is one bird? Some photos show a white vent and others seems to show a green vent/undertail area

Yes, it is the same bird. The vent area is white with a number of feathers tinged green.

 

[kb57]

It looks like a female blue-chinned sapphire- I believe you get those in Trinidad?

 

[Dabs]

It looks like a female blue-chinned sapphire- I believe you get those in Trinidad?

Yes we get Blue chinned Sapphire in Trinidad. But I have never seen a female of the species with such extensive green blotching on the underparts.

 

[kb57]

Yes we get Blue chinned Sapphire in Trinidad. But I have never seen a female of the species with such extensive green blotching on the underparts.

I'm definitely no expert on hummingbirds, but I saw blue-chinned sapphire females in French Guiana last year with quite extensive green markings extending down to the belly. The reddish lower mandible also points to this species. My field guide says (translating from French) 'gorge and belly greyish, with presence of little scaly feathers reflecting green or blue. Density of scaly feathers variable, sometimes only present on the throat.' (my emphasis) - therefore variable.
The only thing that's making me doubtful is the scale - relative to the feeder it looks maybe a little large for the sapphire - the only other hummer I can think of with a remotely similar breast pattern is female white-necked jacobin, which is larger, but the scaly pattern is different in detail (green with white edges, not all-green on a greyish-white background). Maybe time for someone with more knowledge of Trinidadian hummers to jump in!

 

[THE_FERN]

I'm definitely no expert on hummingbirds, but I saw blue-chinned sapphire females in French Guiana last year with quite extensive green markings extending down to the belly. The reddish lower mandible also points to this species. My field guide says (translating from French) 'gorge and belly greyish, with presence of little scaly feathers reflecting green or blue. Density of scaly feathers variable, sometimes only present on the throat.' (my emphasis) - therefore variable.
The only thing that's making me doubtful is the scale - relative to the feeder it looks maybe a little large for the sapphire - the only other hummer I can think of with a remotely similar breast pattern is female white-necked jacobin, which is larger, but the scaly pattern is different in detail (green with white edges, not all-green on a greyish-white background). Maybe time for someone with more knowledge of Trinidadian hummers to jump in!

I think you're correct with the sapphire. It's not a jacobin

 

[Dabs]

I'm definitely no expert on hummingbirds, but I saw blue-chinned sapphire females in French Guiana last year with quite extensive green markings extending down to the belly. The reddish lower mandible also points to this species. My field guide says (translating from French) 'gorge and belly greyish, with presence of little scaly feathers reflecting green or blue. Density of scaly feathers variable, sometimes only present on the throat.' (my emphasis) - therefore variable.
The only thing that's making me doubtful is the scale - relative to the feeder it looks maybe a little large for the sapphire - the only other hummer I can think of with a remotely similar breast pattern is female white-necked jacobin, which is larger, but the scaly pattern is different in detail (green with white edges, not all-green on a greyish-white background). Maybe time for someone with more knowledge of Trinidadian h

I'm definitely no expert on hummingbirds, but I saw blue-chinned sapphire females in French Guiana last year with quite extensive green markings extending down to the belly. The reddish lower mandible also points to this species. My field guide says (translating from French) 'gorge and belly greyish, with presence of little scaly feathers reflecting green or blue. Density of scaly feathers variable, sometimes only present on the throat.' (my emphasis) - therefore variable.
The only thing that's making me doubtful is the scale - relative to the feeder it looks maybe a little large for the sapphire - the only other hummer I can think of with a remotely similar breast pattern is female white-necked jacobin, which is larger, but the scaly pattern is different in detail (green with white edges, not all-green on a greyish-white background). Maybe time for someone with more knowledge of Trinidadian hummers to jump in!

Thanks for the feedback, which is appreciated.
It is definitely not a White necked Jacobin as both a male and female of that species attend my feeders and they are both definitely bigger than the hummer in question, their bill is completely black and the female has a distinctive tail band, which is not present in this hummer. I also have at my feeders 2 female Blue chinned Sapphire with one having a sprinkle of scaling / blotching and the other with the scaling / blotching more defined.
I understand that the scaly feathers / blotching are variable with the female Blue chinned Sapphire, but it is really interesting and revealing if this hummer is indeed a female of that species. I suppose variable is a relative term.

 

[THE_FERN]

Thanks for the feedback, which is appreciated.
It is definitely not a White necked Jacobin as both a male and female of that species attend my feeders and they are both definitely bigger than the hummer in question, their bill is completely black and the female has a distinctive tail band, which is not present in this hummer. I also have at my feeders 2 female Blue chinned Sapphire with one having a sprinkle of scaling / blotching and the other with the scaling / blotching more defined.
I understand that the scaly feathers / blotching are variable with the female Blue chinned Sapphire, but it is really interesting and revealing if this hummer is indeed a female of that species. I suppose variable is a relative term.

Note that hummers have very variable plumage and immature males can look like females. I don't think this individual is exceptional.

 

[Dabs]

Note that hummers have very variable plumage and immature males can look like females. I don't think this individual is exceptional.

Thanks for the feedback.

I agree! Definitely though not an immature male Blue chinned Sapphire, as this hummer has been around for many months. Therefore without any other evidence I would have to settle for a female Blue chinned Sapphire at this time.