| Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Orthorhyncus cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Antillean Crested Hummingbird French name: Colibri huppé, local name: Foufou. Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae Size: Body size: 8 to 9 cm; Weight: 3,5 g to 4 g. Habitat: Mangroves, dry or damp forests, bushy places, gardens. Food: It mainly feeds on nectar collected in a stationary flight near flowers. It may also catch some insects. Nesting: The breeding period can be at any time in the year but with a higher probability between March and June. The female builds a small cup-shaped nest hidden in a bush or under the foliage of a tree. She usually lays two eggs and will take care of the juveniles. Migration: Sedentary. Geographic area: Puerto Rico and Lesser Antilles. |
The male has a metallic green plumage on the upper side. The throat is pale grey, the underside of the body and the legs are dark grey. The bill is black, thin and straight. The head bears a green erectile crest with glossy sheens. The female is a duller colour and does not have any crest. |
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I have shot this picture from the terrace of the bungalow that we have rented for our stay in Basse-Terre. This Antillean Crested Hummingbird is slightly cheating as it is not really gathering nectar in flight. It has landed its legs on a petal. |
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Here is a picture, a little far, where you can see the "Foufou" gathering nectar in flight. |
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I have observed this nice Antillean Crested Hummingbird inside a bush where it was resting in the shadow. I had no tripod nor external flash with me (except the small built-in flash). I think that this subject could have made a beautiful picture as it remained still during several minutes. I have been the first to leave, towards the beach to dive into hot water. |
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The well erected crest must mean that this Antillean Crested Hummingbird is somehow worried about this paparazzi who wants to shoot its portrait. |
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Here is a nice little side view with a nice proximity. Many photographers retouch their shots to remove disturbing elements such as small branches that protrude around the edge of the photo. I still refuse such practices except in very rare exceptions that I point out each time. |
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The shiny reflections of the crest are sometimes very visible depending on the orientation of the sun. This Crested Hummingbird observed in the Balata's garden was busy foraging on Calliandra flowers. |
André Bon January 2024