The black-billed streamertail is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to eastern Jamaica.
Region
Caribbean
Typical Environment
Occurs only in eastern Jamaica, where it inhabits moist evergreen and montane forests, forest edges, and shaded plantations. It is also common in second-growth, gardens, and parks with abundant flowering trees and shrubs. The species uses both interior forest and edges, frequently foraging along clearings and streams. It tolerates human presence where nectar sources are plentiful.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-billed streamertail is a hummingbird famed for the male’s extremely long tail streamers that trail behind in flight. It is restricted to eastern Jamaica and often called a “Doctor Bird,” a national symbol. Males produce a distinctive mechanical wing whirr during display flights. They readily visit gardens with flowering shrubs and feeders.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males defend rich nectar territories and perform shuttle or pendulum displays to attract females. Nesting is by the female alone, who builds a small cup nest on a slender branch. Clutches are typically two white eggs, and the female handles incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include thin, high-pitched chips and rapid twittering notes. In flight, males produce a conspicuous mechanical wing whirr during displays, often audible before the bird is seen.
Plumage
Iridescent emerald-green body; males with velvety black head and very long, narrow tail streamers; females green above with whitish underparts and shorter, rounded tail.
Diet
Primarily nectar from a variety of native and ornamental flowers, including epiphytes and shrubs. Supplements diet with small insects and spiders, taken by hawking or gleaning from foliage. Frequently visits sugar-water feeders where available. Defends rich nectar sources aggressively from rivals.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and in gardens and plantations with abundant flowering plants. Often forages along ridgelines and stream corridors where blooms are concentrated.
