Jamaican Mango
Anthracothorax mango
A large dark hummingbird of forest edges, plantations, and gardens. Its black underparts, iridescent red cheeks, and red-purple tail are unique within its range. Note that females and immatures of this species are not as vivid as males. Call is a sharp “tsic,” given individually or in a series.
Identification
The Jamaican mango is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 8.5 to 9.1 g (0.30 to 0.32 oz). It differs from all others of its genus by being dark overall rather than mostly bright green. The adult male's crown is dull green, the sides of the head and neck metallic magenta, and the back dull greenish bronze. The central tail feathers are dusky bronze to dull black and the rest metallic violet with a thin dark blue band. The underparts are velvety black. The adult female is similar but with faded velvety green flanks and white tips on the outer tail feathers. The immature male has a deep blue throat that becomes the adult's black after its second year.
Taxonomy
The Jamaican mango was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Trochilus mango. Linnaeus based his description on the "Mango bird" that had been described and illustrated in 1738 by the English naturalist Eleazar Albin. The Jamaican mango is now placed in the genus Anthracothorax that was introduced in 1831 by Friedrich Boie. The species is monotypic: No subspecies are recognized.<p>There is some evidence that the species is the most basal within the genus Anthracothorax.
- Scientific name
- Anthracothorax mango
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Anthracothorax
Range and habitat
The Jamaican mango is found throughout the eponymous island, with the densest population being along the northern coast. It inhabits a wide variety of open and semi-open landscapes including forest edges, gardens, plantations, and arid areas. It shuns mangrove areas. In elevation it mostly ranges from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft) and is regular but rare as high as 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The Jamaican mango moves from the higher elevations to mid levels in June to August after the upper flowering season ends.<p>The Jamaican mango feeds on both nectar and arthropods. It takes nectar from a large variety of flowering trees, shrubs, and vines, both native and introduced. Males defend flowering trees. Insects are mostly taken on the wing.<p>The Jamaican mango nests at any time of the year, though most frequently between January and May. It weaves a small cup nest of soft plant fibers and seed down with spider silk on a thick tree branch, typically between 3 and 8 m (9.8 and 26 ft) above the ground. The clutch size is two eggs. The incubation period and time to fledging are not known.<p>The Jamaican mango is not highly vocal and its song has not been described. Its call is "a sharp, raspy 'tic...tic...tic'."
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Northern Chestnut-breasted Wren
Cyphorhinus dichrous
Found at higher elevations than other members of its genus. Shy and uncommon denizen of forest undergrowth from 1,100–2,000 m. Chunky and short-tailed, dark brown above with rich rufous neck and breast. Blue eyering. Sexes alike. Could recall an antbird, but especially note pointier bill with a thicker base. Typically found in pairs or small family groups foraging on or near the ground. More easily heard than seen: listen for repeated sets of 2–3 eerie whistled notes stepping up in pitch, with little to no break between each set.
Common Wood-Pigeon
Columba palumbus
Distinctive, large bulky gray pigeon with a pale neck patch (lacking on juvenile in late summer–autumn). Neck patch is large and white throughout majority of range, but birds in Azores, Madeira, and much of western Asia have smaller, tan-colored patches. Bold white wing band striking in flight; tail broadly tipped black. Inhabits wooded and semiopen habitats, including towns and gardens. Forms flocks, especially in winter. Often rather unaware, and frequently crashes noisily and clumsily out of hedges and bushes. Display flight consists of a flap-flap-flap climb followed by a descending glide. Gives a low, throaty series of coos: “hrrruu-hoo-who-who.”
Chattering Gnatwren
Ramphocaenus sticturus
Very small bird of humid tropical forest and edge. Favors vine tangles at mid-upper levels, where moves actively, holding its tail cocked and flopping it from side to side. Appearance is distinctive, with buffy face, very long thin bill, and fairly long tail with white tips. Similar to Long-billed Gnatwren but has three white spots on outer tail feathers and a slower, sometimes multiparted chattering song. Easily overlooked, but vocal.
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