Don’t mess with me!
Tiny and beautiful, but the hummingbird packs a punch.
Not many birds want to mess with that long, tapered beak, ideal for delving into large tubular flowers for the lovely nectar.
This Barbados hummingdird is very territorial. It fights far bigger birds.
In Barbados, the hummingbird was historically referred to as the Doctor Bird, or Doctor Booby.
This is because 19th century doctors wore long black coats so people couldn’t see the blood and gore. Against the constant Barbados sunshine, the iridescent colours of the hummingbird are hidden and the dark silhouette of the hummingbird is often all you can see.
Busy, busy, busy…
And, like the doctors of yesterday, they are always on the move, too busy to stop in one place for long.
Two Species of Hummingbirds
The video features the green-throated Carib, one of only two species of Barbados hummingbird. The other is the Antillean crested.
It’s much smaller – it can weigh as little as four grams. The male has a distinctive metallic green crest and a straighter beak.
Take a Peek
Behind the Images Below
Find the Hidden Treasure
(See all our stories about Barbados here...)
