The Puerto Rican mango is a species of hummingbird in the subfamily Polytminae. It is found on the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and the American Virgin Islands.
Region
Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (Caribbean)
Typical Environment
Occurs across Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands in a range of habitats from coastal scrub and mangroves to secondary forests, coffee plantations, and suburban gardens. It is common along forest edges and in clearings where flowering trees and shrubs are abundant. The species readily uses ornamental plantings such as hibiscus, Ixora, and aloe in urban settings. It also visits native blooms in mid-elevation forests and dry coastal thickets. Availability of nectar strongly influences local abundance and territorial behavior.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Puerto Rican mango is a medium-sized hummingbird of the mango group (subfamily Polytminae). It is a year-round resident on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where it frequents both native forests and human-altered landscapes. It aggressively defends rich flowering resources and often visits gardens and parks. Like other hummingbirds, it supplements nectar with small insects for protein.
Female
Temperament
territorial and assertive around flowering resources
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically solitary when foraging and strongly defends nectar sources from other hummingbirds. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights; males do not assist with nesting. The female builds a small cup nest of plant down bound with spider silk and usually lays two white eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp chips and thin, high-pitched tseet notes given while perched or during chases. Wing hum is prominent during close flight, and males may produce rapid twittering during displays.
Plumage
Iridescent dark green to bronzy-green upperparts with a glossy sheen; underparts in males appear dusky with glittering green; females tend to show paler grayish underparts with green spotting on the sides. Tail is dark, slightly forked, with pale to whitish tips on the outer feathers. Wings are dusky with a warm rufous tone visible in the underwing.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a variety of native and ornamental flowers, including hibiscus, Heliconia, Erythrina, and Ixora. It also hawks or gleans small insects and spiders to obtain protein, especially during breeding. Individuals may follow a trapline between reliable nectar sources while defending the richest patches.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, in gardens, parks, and secondary growth where flowering shrubs and trees are abundant. Often visits feeders and ornamental plantings in urban and suburban areas, and will also work the mid-canopy of native forests.
