Saba’s Hummingbirds

Saba is home to three species of gorgeous and vibrant, tiny hummingbirds: two caribs (the purple-throated and green-throated) and the Antillean crested hummingbird. All three species eat a diet made up almost completely of flower nectar, and as you walk around the island, you’ll notice that many local residents have sugar-water feeders set out to attract these colorful birds (sugar supplies much-needed energy to power their flight). 

The purple-throated carib (Eulampis jugularis) has a large swath of feathers on its throat known as a gorget, which glows magenta in the sunlight, along with similarly shiny teal wing feathers on a dark body. These shimmering feathers use iridescence — microscopic structures that trap all but a few colors of light — to produce the vibrant, reflective colors that make both males and females of this species so magical to spot. Their long, curved beaks are the perfect shape for probing deep into the flowers of bananas and other native plants for sweet nectar, and they prefer to spend most of their time deep in Saba’s forests, surrounded by trees.

The green-throated carib (Eulampis holosericeus), much like its purple-throated relative, also has a downward-curved beak, but with a body that’s entirely (minus the wings) covered in iridescent emerald and blue feathers. These hummingbirds are more likely to be seen in open areas, like yards and fields, than purple-throated caribs, and can sometimes be confused for the female Antillean crested hummingbirds. To tell them apart, look for the curved bill of the caribs and check the belly feathers: If they’re green, you’ve got a green-throated carib. If they’re white or gray, you’re looking at the Antillean crested hummingbird.

The Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus) is most notable for the erect feathers on the male’s head that resemble a tiny, green mohawk. With its short, straight beak, it’s well adapted to all kinds of habitats on Saba, and can commonly be found in gardens or woodlands alike. It’s smaller than the island’s other two hummingbirds, making it the smallest bird species on the island, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in fierceness. These tiny birds have been known to be impressively aggressive toward others, chasing larger hummingbirds and bananaquits away from nectar feeders, and even snapping up insects that dare to try sharing a flower.

Header image by Kai Wulf.