Green-throated carib

Eulampis holosericeus

Photo by Donald Gudehus (Parfait Image)

Common name:
green-throated carib (en); beija-flor-das-Caraíbas-de-garganta-verde (pt); colibri falle-vert (fr); colibrí caribeño gorgiverde (es); blaustern-Antillenkolibri (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae


Range:
This species is only found in the Caribbean, in the islands from eastern Puerto Rico and Grenada.


Size:
They are 10,5-12,5 cm long and weigh 5,5-8 g.


Habitat:
The green-throated carib is found in open secondary vegetation, semi-deciduous woodlands, rainforests, moist scrublands, agricultural areas and parks. It is present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.


Diet:
These birds mainly feed on the nectar of flowering scrubs and trees, including Heliconia, Lantana, Cordia, and Bryophyllum, as well as other flowering plants with long nectar repositories. They also eat flies, wasps, ants, small beetles and spiders.


Breeding:
Green-throated caribs breed in February-May. The female builds the nest alone, a compact cup made of bark and lichens, and lined with soft fibres of cacti, seeds, and tree ferns. The nest is usually placed in the fork of a twig, up to 9 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 17-19 days. The chicks are fed by the female and fledge 20-22 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 3-4 weeks later. Each pair raises 1, or rarely 2 broods per years.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species as a small breeding range, but it is described as common. Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to be declining and it is known to adapt well to human-affected habitats.