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Red-billed Streamertail Hummingbird
Scientific name: Trochilus polytmus
Length:
Identification: The streamertail has the plummage of long tail feathers crossing
in resemblance to the old-fashioned coattails of a doctor; hence, Jamaicans call
it the "Doctor bird."
Habitat and range: The red-billed Streamertail hummingbird is found only in
Jamaica.
FYI: A high-pitched hum is made by the uniquely scalloped and fluted streamers
of the bird's tail in flight. Female hummingbirds may use threads from a spider web
to bind its nest of plant down and moss together. Laying two bean-sized white eggs,
she will feed her babies regurgitated insects. Source: "Blue-throated Hummingbird,"
Book of North American Birds, (Pleasantville, New York: Reader's Digest Association,
Inc., 1990), p. 194. After 2-3 weeks of incubation, baby hummingbirds are born
without feathers They are ready to leave the nest after only three weeks. Source:
"Hummingbird," The International Wildlife Encyclopedia, 1969, Vol. 9, p.
1136. Since the feet of the hummingbird are small and weak, instead of walking
or hopping, it will fly for even short distances. Source: "Hummingbird,"
The Audubon Nature Encyclopedia, 1965, Vol. 5, p. 892.
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