One of the 28 endemic birds of Jamaica, the Jamaican mango is the largest of the nation's hummingbirds and one of many target birds for birders visiting this avian-rich Caribbean nation. Its dark plumage may at first seem drab, but this hummer has spectacularly subtle beauty with a rainbow of iridescence in good light.

Common Name:

Jamaican Mango, Mango Hummingbird, Black Mango, Black Hummingbird

Scientific Name:

Anthracothorax mango

Scientific Family:

Trochilidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Long, thin, black, slightly decurved
• Size: 5-5.5 inches long with 6-inch wingspan, short tail, stout body
• Colors: Black, brown, white, magenta, iridescent (many colors)
• Markings: Dimorphic species. Males are overall dark blackish-brown with an iridescent sheen in good sunlight that can give a metallic bronze, gold, blue or green wash to the head and back. The auriculars show bright magenta in good light and the color extends to the side of the neck. The underparts are black but may show turquoise or green iridescence. The two central tail feathers are dark but the outer feathers range from rusty red to blue to purple depending on the light. When the tail is held closed, the edge may show red or purple. Females are similar to males but are somewhat duller with less iridescence, and they show thin white tips to the outer tail feathers.
  
  Juveniles are similar to adults but show a much stronger blue hue in the iridescence on the gorget.
  
  Species is monotypic.

Foods:

Nectar, insects (See: Nectivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These birds are endemic to Jamaica and can only be found in that country, but they are fairly common and widespread throughout the island. Jamaican mangos prefer less dense, lowland habitats that include plantations, forest edges, gardens and scrub areas, including more arid regions and backyards, though they are missing from the highest elevations of the Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains. They do not strongly migrate but may drop to lower elevations in winter and populations can shift from the northern part of the country to the southern part seasonally, typically following the flowering season and the most abundant food sources.

Vocalizations:

Like most hummingbirds, Jamaican mangos aren't exceptionally vocal. They do have a high pitched "chi-chi-chi-chi-chi" call and a sharp "chip" call note that can occasionally be heard, particularly when they are chasing away intruders.

Behavior:

These large hummingbirds can be aggressive, particularly around feeding areas. Males are more aggressive than females, but both genders will perch near preferred feeding areas in gardens or near hummingbird feeders and will chase away intruders or use bold flight displays to intimidate other birds. They will also hawk insects in flight or pluck them from cobwebs while feeding.

Reproduction:

These are polygamous hummingbirds that mate after a male impresses a female with a deep U-shaped courtship flight. After mating, the male has nothing further to do with the female and she is solely responsible for nest construction, egg incubation and caring for chicks.

The nest is a deep cup-shape and placed high in trees, often in mango trees, hence giving this bird its common name. The nest is constructed of plant fluff and other soft materials bound together with spider webs and camouflaged with small bits of lichen and moss. Two eggs are typical per brood, and they are plain white with an oval shape. Breeding can occur year-round but is most common between January and May, and the incubation period for each brood is typically 16-17 days. After the altricial young have hatched, the female parent continues to care for the young birds for 20-26 days until they are ready to leave the nest.

Attracting Jamaican Mangos:

These hummingbirds are easy to attract to backyards with nectar-rich flowers and other hummingbird garden features. Avoiding pesticide use and adding supplemental hummingbird feeders can also help attract these large hummers, and providing perches for the birds to guard their preferred feeding locations will provide excellent viewing opportunities as the birds return to the same perches repeatedly.

Conservation:

While these hummingbirds may be confined to Jamaica, they are not considered endangered or threatened in any way. Careful plantation management with wildlife-friendly techniques and minimal pesticide use can continue to preserve Jamaican mangos, and the increasing popularity of feeding hummingbirds also ensures safe features for these birds in a greater variety of locations. As avitourism to Jamaica increases, even more conservation measures for all of the island's endemic species will become mainstream, ensuring the Jamaican mango is protected.

Similar Birds:

• Black-Billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus)
• Antillean Mango (Anthracothorax dominicus)
• Black-Throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)

Photo – Jamaican Mango © Melissa Mayntz