Black-billed Streamertail

The Black-billed Streamertail is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is endemic to eastern Jamaica. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Trochilus polytmus.

The Black-billed Streamertail is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Enter the Black-billed Streamertail! Of course, the bird’s stately silhouette proves the provenance of its name but only suggests its brilliant emerald raiment… The Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) is a Jamaican endemic, either conspecific or closely related to its more common cousin, the Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus). While the red-billed variety is easily found throughout Jamaica, the black-bill is restricted to the eastern corner of the island. More

The Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is endemic to eastern Jamaica. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Trochilus polytmus. References - * BirdLife International 2004. Trochilus scitulus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (Viewed on February 10, 2010). Stub icon This Apodiformes-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. More

black-billed streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) is named for its long, thin tail feathers that stretch for several inches behind its small, stocky body. Found wild only in Jamaica, this is a popular hummingbird for many birders to try to see when they visit Caribbean waters. More

A female Black-billed Streamertail sitting in its nest near Reach Falls in Jamaica. Brad Sylvester Related articles A review of A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Jamaica Complete birdwatching picture index page A visit to the bird banding research station on Plum Island Combining a Disney World vacation with birdwatching part 1: Disney World birding overview Bird watching at... More

When the Black-billed Streamertail of eastern Jamaica is considered a separate species, the Red-billed Streamertail occurs west of a line from Morant Bay following the Morant River, and via Ginger House and the middle Rio Grande to Port Antonio (Gill et al., 1973). The next-to-outermost rectrices of the male are 15 to 18 cm (6-7 in) long, far longer than its bearer's body. Trailing behind the flying hummingbird like thin black streamers, these feathers make a humming sound. More

the Black-billed Streamertail really are two forms of one species. That puts the total for Jamaican hummingbird species at three instead of four. However, some experts familiar with Jamaican birds believe that lumping the two was a mistake, and that in the future the Black-billed and Red-billed Streamertails will once again be regarded as separate species. More

Black-billed Streamertail of extreme eastern Jamaica, the latter is now considered a distinct species (''Trochilus scitulus''). Thus, ''T. polytmus'' occurs west of a line from Morant Bay following the Morant River, and via Ginger House and the middle Rio Grande to Port Antonio (Gill ''et al.'', 1973). The next-to-outermost feather on each side of the male's tail is six or seven inches long, far longer than its bearer's back. More

such high altitudes and Black-billed Streamertail is virtually guaranteed at Port Antonio. It was now 9am and if I could get down the direct route to Buff Bay I would be able to get there quite quickly. If not it was going to be a long detour via Kingston meaning a late, unpopular return to Ocho Rios. At Section I asked if I could get down the road. The reply was yes if I took a muddy detour of approx 100m to avoid a landslip. More

Black-billed Streamertail, Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Pewee, Blue Mountain Vireo and Jamaican Blackbird. I also wanted to see a few non-endemic specialities, notably Rufous-throated Solitaire and Greater Antillean Elaenia. Hardwar Gap would hopefully give me a chance for most of these birds, but on the way there I decided to take a detour to Bath Fountain, a stakeout for the highly range-restricted although locally common Black-billed Streamertail. More

Streamertail, Black-billed Streamertail, Jamaican Tody, Jamaican Woodpecker, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Elaenia, Jamaican Pewee, Sad Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Jamaican Vireo, Blue Mountain Vireo, Jamaican Crow, White-chinned Thrush, White-eyed Thrush, Arrowhead Warbler, Jamaican Blackbird, Yellow-shouldered Grassquit, Orangequit, Jamaican Spindalis and Jamaican Euphonia. The Caribbean form of Northern Potoo and the Jamaican form of Olive-throated Parakeet may someday attain species status. The most recent iteration of the AOU checklist has demoted Black-billed Streamertail to sub-species. More

Apart from the Black-billed Streamertail (only in the east of the island) all others are found in the southern parishes including Cockpit Country. See our Gallery for photos of some of the many birds you may see. More

Black-billed Streamertail Trochilus scitulus : Noted on 5 days, Mockingbird Hill, 21st - 25th. Vervain Hummingbird Mellisuga minima : Noted each day. KINGFISHERS - Alcedinidae Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon : Noted on 3 days with 1 Hope Botanical Gardens on 19th, 3 Rio Grande on 23rd, 1 en route on 25th. TODIES - Todidae Jamaican Tody Todus todus : Noted each day in small numbers. More

4th, the Black-billed Streamertail, is only found in the very eastern part of Jamaica (it is sometimes treated as a sub-species of the Streamertail). The next treat was to hand feed the Black-faced Grassquits*, Yellow-faced Grassquits* and Orangequits*(E) by holding out a hand full of millet seed. I was in seventh heaven ....! Also hopping around the feeders on the patio, were Banaquits*, a Greater Antillean Bullfinch* and a Black-throated Blue Warbler* male. More

Black-billed Streamertail (around San-San and the like), but I know of no other place that is so reliable, much less so attractive and hospitable. All of our tours have enjoyed their first Black-billed Streamertail and a rum punch simultaneously! A morning`s walk around the grounds in winter will usually give birders unparalleled looks at Ring-tailed Pigeons in the large fig tree in the parking lot. More