‘SEXING THE HUMMER’

A GENDER GUIDE TO ABACO’S HUMMINGBIRDS

This post is not as indelicate as the title might imply. It is not a practical guide for intimate examinations of tiny birds. Nor does refer to some louche activity involving large motor vehicles. It’s all about plumage and recognition. And there are only two species – and two genders for each one – to wrestle with*. So here are the adult male and female Bahama Woodstars and Cuban Emeralds in all their glory…

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BAHAMA WOODSTAR (Calliphlox evelynae)

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CUBAN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon ricordii)

And finally, a brilliant Woodstar photo taken by Tom Sheley, birdman and generous fishing partner, that spans the boundary between wildlife photography and art. 

There have been very rare reports of vagrant sightings, in particular Anna’s Hummingbird