General

Bahama Woodstar: Medium-sized hummingbird with iridescent green upperparts, violet-pink throat, partial white collar, and mixed buff- and olive-green underparts; may have pink-tinged forehead. Forked tail is black with orange-brown center. Bill is slightly decurved. Female is duller with pale gray throat, and orange-brown belly and outer tail feathers.

Range and Habitat

Bahama Woodstar: Endemic and common in the Bahamas; very rare, but perhaps overlooked visitor to south Florida. Inhabits areas of scrubby and low-growth vegetation; also found around gardens in south Florida.

Breeding and Nesting

Bahama Woodstar: Two white eggs are laid in a nest made of plant down and covered outside with bits of bark and cobwebs, built 2 to12 feet above the ground in a bush or tree. Incubation ranges from 15 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Bahama Woodstar: Feeds on flower nectar in gardens and low scrub. Aggressively defends feeding areas from other hummingbirds.

Vocalization

Bahama Swallow: Call is a sharp, staccato "tit, titit, tit, tit, titit." Chase call is rapid, dry, and rattling. Song is a jumble of high squeaks and raspy notes much like an angler winding a reel.

Similar Species

Bahama Woodstar: None in range.