Jamaican Doctorbird

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Jamaican Doctorbird

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

The Black-Billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus), a member of the family Trochilidae, is a hummingbird endemic to Jamaica, and is locally called "Doctorbird" and "God Bird". The male bird with its streamer has a length of about 10 inches. The female birds and juveniles have no stream. It resembles the smaller Red-Billed Streamertail, which also is endemic to Jamaica. This species may be found in humid areas of eastern Jamaica, particularly in wooded gardens, and forests. This species feeds on nectar with high sugar content, and small insects. The males establish feeding territories which they aggressively protect against large insects and other males. Streamertails are the national bird of Jamaica. According to Jamaican folklore, Streamertails were the reincarnation of dead souls, had special powers, and could bring bad fortune to someone who harmed them.

This Black-Billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) perched on a vine was photographed in eastern Jamaica on 2-12-2012. I used a Nikon D7000 camera body and a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR2 lens coupled to a Nikon TC-1.7x Teleconverter to capture this image. Settings: 1/80 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1250.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
FAA Portraits - Birds, 8-25-2016
The Hummingbird Whisperer, 8-27-2016
A Gorgeous Green - Nature And Photography, 6-27-2022
10 Plus, 6-28-2022
All About Birds, 4-30-2023
500 Views, 5-11-2023

Third Place in FAA Contest
"Gorgeous Green Vistas"
8-8-2022; Admin Dr. Debra Stewart

KEYWORDS: jamaican doctorbird, black-billed streamertail, trochilus scitulus, doctorbird, god bird, family trochilidae, endemic, hummingbird, bird, avian, wild, wildlife, nature, natural, outdoors, wings, feathers, plumage, green, black, black-billed, long tail, colorful, adult, male, perched, perching, looking, watching, one, pretty, beautiful, graceful, winter, ecotourism, ecotravel, jamaica, eastern jamaica, jamaican, caribbean, west indies, morris finkelstein, st. louis, missouri, photograph, digital, square, portrait, close up, nikon d7000, photography

Uploaded

August 23rd, 2016

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