Black Jacobin, a spectacular hummingbird. Its bronzy-red body, black head, green throat and rump, and long tail with elongated center feathers make it easily recognizable in its range. Extremely comparable to Crimson Topaz, but there does not seem to be much range overlap. occurs in the western Amazon basin’s lowland rainforest, frequently along blackwater streams, where it spends a lot of time perched and sporadically sallies out to capture insects. spotted among trees that are in bloom as well.
Geographical range and habitat
The black Jacobin is found from Mexico south to Central America to northern South America. Its range extends north from southern Mexico down to Panama southwestern Colombia and western Ecuador. It is also found on several islands in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola.
This species of bird inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, especially at mid-elevation. It also visits gardens and parks, where there are hummingbird feeders.
Black Jacobins are found in mountainous areas up to an altitude of about 1200 m.
the meal
Like all hummingbird Varietiesf, the black Jacobin survives primarily on flower nectar and small insects and spiders. Its bill is designed to pierce flowers and extract nectar. This species of bird supports flowers with strong corollas that act as perch during feeding. Some of the preferred types of flowers include heliconia, cactus, lingula, and epiphytic cacti. The black Jacobin also captures small insects, which are caught aerially or collected from leaves and branches.
Reproduction and territoriality
The breeding season varies geographically, usually between March and June in the northern end of its range and between September and December in the southern range. Males display extensive courtship by repeatedly flying and diving to impress females. Under the plant, the female builds a small cup nest of cobwebs and lichens, attached to a vertical twig or fern frond 2 to 15 meters above the ground. In 15 to 19 days, the two little white eggs she lays will hatch. After twenty to twenty-six days, the babies fledge.
Male Black Jacobins are very protective of their nectar sources against outsiders, such as other hummingbird species. Fierce aerial pursuits and physical combat reinforce territory boundaries. Their loud repeated calls and diving displays also indicate territorial occupation. Both sexes produce trills, chirps, and ticking notes that travel surprisingly long distances.
Cool Facts about Black Jacobin
1. The Black Jacobin‘s scientific name, Florisoga, literally means “flower-sucker,” referring to its nectar-feeding habits. The “fusca” part of the binomial name means black or dim in Latin.
2. Ornithologist Alexander Schach called the Jacobin the most ambitious of all hummingbirds because of its fierce territorial defense and aggression.
3. The breed was given the name “Jacobin” due to its resemblance to the white vest and black hood that male Dominican monks in the Jacobin Order wore.
4. Unusual among hummingbirds, the Black Jacobin sometimes steals nest material from other active hummingbird nests. They can pluck feathers and fibers directly from the exterior of occupied nests.
5. Jacobins practice robbing nectar when accessing certain flowers, stealing the nectar by piercing the corolla instead of pollinating the flowers properly.
