Red-billed Streamertail

Overview

The Red-billed Streamertail, known locally as the 'doctor bird,' is endemic to Jamaica and serves as the island's national bird. It is widespread across gardens, forest edges, and coffee plantations throughout the island.

Adult males possess two dramatically elongated, curved tail feathers many times the length of the body, which whir audibly during flight and courtship displays. Females lack these streamers and appear much more like a typical compact hummingbird.

Feather Identification

• Body feathers: Bright emerald-green, iridescent, densely covering the back and crown
• Tail feathers: In males, two central feathers are extremely elongated, narrow, and curved outward like ribbons; black with a metallic sheen
• Shaft color: Dark, rigid in the elongated tail streamers to support their length
• Size: Body is typical small hummingbird size, but the male's tail feathers are proportionally the longest of any hummingbird relative to body size
• Similar species: The related Black-billed Streamertail (found in eastern Jamaica) is nearly identical but has a black rather than red bill; females of both species are very similar and best told by range

Plumage Details

Adult males show glittering green plumage over the head, back, and throat, with a black cap and the signature elongated, curved black tail streamers that create a soft humming noise in flight. Females are green above and whitish below with a normal, short, notched tail lacking streamers. Juvenile males resemble females and gradually grow the elongated tail feathers as they mature. There is no strong seasonal plumage change beyond the annual molt cycle.

Habitat & Range

This species is endemic to Jamaica, occurring virtually island-wide in gardens, forest edges, plantations, and mangroves from lowlands into hills. It is non-migratory and present year-round, being one of the most commonly encountered hummingbirds on the island.

Behavior & Field Notes

Red-billed Streamertails feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants and readily visit garden feeders, also taking small insects for protein. Males perform pendulum-like display flights, with the long tail streamers producing a distinctive humming or whirring sound. Nests are tiny cups of plant down and spider silk placed on low branches. Calls include sharp chips and buzzy chatters, especially during territorial disputes at flowers.