This year began with an exhilarating start for me as a birder and bird photographer. January gifted me eight incredible new hummingbird species to add to my lifer list, each one dazzling and unique in its own way. From the northeastern side of Trinidad at the Bajnath’s Hummingbird Sanctuary to the Birding Paradise Lodge back home in Panamá, these tiny marvels flitted about creating unforgettable moments and memories.
Let me share a bit about each species I was fortunate enough to encounter on these two trips.
First Stop: Bajnath’s Hummingbird Sanctuary, Trinidad
Nestled in the lush northeastern region of Trinidad, Bajnath’s Hummingbird Sanctuary is a dream destination for any hummingbird enthusiast. Out of the 18 hummingbird species officially recorded in Trinidad and Tobago, I am told 14 can be spotted here, a truly impressive variety! This was my first stop, a family outing that turned into an unforgettable experience. I not only had the good fortune of seeing five new hummingbird species but also had the pleasure of meeting up with 10000birds.com fellow writer Faraaz Abdool.
1)The Tufted Coquette hummingbird: The crown jewel of Trinidad’s hummingbirds, in my humble opinion. At just about 6.5 cm, it’s one of the smallest hummingbirds in the world. Males are instantly recognizable with their fiery orange crest and spotted throat. Watching them hover is almost surreal they look like tiny flying ornaments.
2)The Long-billed Starthroat hummingbird: True to its name, this hummingbird’s throat shimmers with starry flecks when caught in the light. It’s a dazzling species that seems to glow with every movement, making it a photographer’s delight.
3)The Rufous-breasted Hermit hummingbird: This species is a bit of an unsung hero among hummingbirds I believe. With its longer curved bill, it’s well-adapted to feeding on flowers with deep corollas. They’re less flashy but fascinating to observe as they flit purposefully around.
4) The Green Hermit hummingbird: Larger than most hummingbirds and has a striking metallic green body. Its long tail feathers give it an elegant appearance, especially when it’s darting around. Watching this species was like watching a piece of emerald in motion.
5)The Brown Violetta hummingbird: This bird is known for its shimmering violet ear patches and its habit of defending feeding territories aggressively, even from birds much larger than itself! These feisty little birds are as bold as they are beautiful.
Second Stop: Birding Paradise Lodge, Panamá
My second January outing took me back home to Panamá, to the Birding Paradise Lodge. While I didn’t expect to encounter many hummingbirds here, I was in for a wonderful surprise. Among the vibrant gardens and trails of this lodge, I was greeted by three new hummingbird species that stole the show.
1)The Purple-crowned Fairy hummingbird: This hummer stands out for its shimmering purple crest that seems to catch the sunlight at every angle. They’re small but commanding in appearance, making them impossible to miss. They pierce the base of the flower to suck the nectar and I am told they never visit the feeders in the garden.
2) The Charming hummingbird: Yes, thats what they are called and they are indeed charming little hummingbirds. The males display brilliant green and blue tones, while the females are more subtly colored. Their rapid, darting movements are both entertaining and challenging to photograph.
3)The Scaly Breasted hummingbird: It’s a bit of an enigma with its subtle beauty. Its underparts are marked with fine scale-like patterns, giving it a textured appearance. They’re quiet and less showy but no less captivating when you take the time to observe them closely.
Of course, these weren’t the only hummingbirds on display. Both locations had some familiar favourites including the dazzling White-necked Jacobin, the energetic Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, the Snowy Bellied, White Chested Emerald, Blue Chinned Sapphire, Copper Rumped, Black-throated Mango and the fiery Ruby Topaz each contributing to the kaleidoscope of color and movement.
These trips did not only expose me to new hummingbird species but also added a variety of other avian beauties, including the elusive Sunbittern, to my lifers list, but thats for another post.
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