Birds Active during the day

Blue-headed Hummingbird

Riccordia bicolor

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A shimmering emerald gem of the Caribbean, the Blue-headed Hummingbird is a rare beauty found only on two islands. With its brilliant indigo crown and fearless spirit, it is the crown jewel of Lesser Antillean birdlife.

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Quick Identification

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Size

9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 in) in length; Wingspan approximately 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 in); Weight: 4.5g (0.16 oz)

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Colors

Males: Shimmering emerald green body with a deep, iridescent blue head and throat. Females: Bronze-green upperparts with a contrasting bright white breast and belly.

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Key Features

Brilliant iridescent blue head and throat in males
Bright white underparts in females
Dark blue-black tail with a slight notch
Slightly curved black bill with a reddish base

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round; sightings peak during February-May breeding season

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Diet Primarily nectar from tubular flowers such as Heliconias and Hibiscus; also captures small flying insects and gleans spiders from webs for protein.

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Habitat Humid montane forests, forest edges, and riverine corridors; occasionally found in mature rural gardens.

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Where Does the Blue-headed Hummingbird Live?

The Blue-headed Hummingbird is a true island specialist, found natively and exclusively within the Caribbean region. Its core range is restricted to the lush, volcanic islands of Dominica and Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Within these islands, it favors the high-humidity environments of interior mountain ranges and river valleys, making it a prized sighting for birdwatchers in the Eastern Caribbean.

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2 Countries

1.9K km² Range

Near Threatened Conservation

Dominica Martinique

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Blue-headed Hummingbird is a highly spirited and territorial resident of the Caribbean canopy. Known for their incredible agility, these birds are often seen defending a 'feeding circuit' of flowering plants, boldly chasing off larger birds that venture too close to their preferred nectar sources. During the breeding season from February to May, males engage in high-speed aerial displays to court females, often performing steep dives and hovering near tree ferns where nesting occurs.

While they are primarily creatures of the humid forest, they are remarkably adapted to the volcanic terrain of their home islands. Unlike many migratory hummingbirds, this species stays put year-round, moving only locally between elevations to follow the blooming cycles of tropical flora. They are generally solitary except when mating or when several gather at a particularly rich food source, like a flowering immortelle tree.

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Camera Tips

To capture the breathtaking iridescence of the Blue-headed Hummingbird, position your camera near high-nectar 'anchor' plants like Heliconia or Ginger Lilies. These birds are incredibly fast, so a camera with a high-speed trigger or a dedicated 'bird mode' is essential. If using an AI-powered backyard camera, place it within 2-3 feet of a feeder or flower cluster to capture the fine details of the male's blue gorget. Ensure the camera is positioned at an angle that catches the morning or afternoon sun, as the metallic feathers require direct light to 'glow' on film.

Because these hummingbirds are frequent bathers, setting up a camera near a shallow, moving water feature or a misting station can provide unique behavioral footage. Unlike many species that prefer still water, hummingbirds are attracted to the sound of splashing or dripping. Mount your device at chest height (4-5 feet) and aim for a clean, non-distracting background to make the bird's emerald and blue colors pop. If you are in a forested area, look for tree ferns; they are the preferred nesting sites, and a well-placed trail cam (at a respectful distance) can document the nesting cycle between February and May.

Lighting is your biggest challenge in the humid forests they call home. If your setup allows, use a small external flash or choose a spot where the canopy opens up to allow natural light. Avoid placing cameras in deep, dark shadows, as the Blue-headed Hummingbird's dark tail and deep blue head can easily lose detail in low light. For the best results, use a high frame rate (at least 60fps) to slow down their rapid wing beats and see the incredible mechanics of their flight in playback.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blue-headed Hummingbird.

Antillean Crested Hummingbird

Smaller with a prominent pointed crest; males have a blue-green crest rather than a fully blue head.

Purple-throated Carib

Much larger with a heavy, curved bill and a brilliant purple throat instead of a blue head.

Green-throated Carib

Lacks the blue head entirely, featuring a bright green throat and a slightly more curved bill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the early morning hours from sunrise until 10 AM, and again in the late afternoon. They tend to rest in shaded canopy areas during the hottest part of the midday.

If you live in Dominica or Martinique, plant native flowers like Heliconia, Hibiscus, and Canna Lilies. You can also hang a nectar feeder with a simple 4:1 water-to-white-sugar solution; avoid using red dyes.

Their diet is primarily sugar-rich nectar for energy, but they also hunt small gnats, fruit flies, and spiders to get the protein needed for muscle growth and egg production.

They are less common in urban centers and prefer rural gardens that border natural forests. They are most frequently seen in humid, mountainous interior regions rather than coastal towns.

The Blue-headed Hummingbird is larger and lacks a crest. While both have green and blue feathers, the Blue-headed male has a completely blue head, whereas the Antillean Crested has a distinct, pointed green-and-blue crest on top of its head.

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