Birds Active during the day

Bahama Woodstar

Nesophlox evelynae

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Bahama Woodstar is a shimmering endemic treasure of the Lucayan islands. Known for its metallic 'hum' and the male's brilliant purple throat, this tiny acrobat is a favorite for backyard birdwatchers.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 8-9.5 cm (3.1-3.7 in); Wingspan: 10-11 cm (3.9-4.3 in); Weight: 2.4-3.6 g (0.08-0.13 oz)

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Colors

Iridescent green upperparts; males have a brilliant violet-purple gorget (throat) and white breast; females have buffy/cinnamon underparts and lack the purple throat.

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Key Features

Striking iridescent purple throat patch on males
Long, slender, slightly decurved bill
White spot directly behind the eye
Forked tail in males vs rounded tail with rufous tips in females

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily floral nectar from native and ornamental plants; also feeds on small insects and spiders caught in mid-air or plucked from spider webs for essential protein.

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Habitat Widespread across suburban gardens, tropical scrubland, pine forests, and coastal forest edges.

Behavior

The Bahama Woodstar is a remarkably energetic and agile flyer, spending much of its day darting between nectar sources with high-speed precision. Locally known as the 'hummer,' this bird produces a low-frequency buzzing sound with its wings that is distinct from other hummingbird species. While they are generally solitary, they are highly territorial over prime feeding spots and will engage in high-speed chases to drive off intruders.

Human presence doesn't easily rattle these birds; they are frequent visitors to residential gardens and can become quite bold around sugar-water feeders. During the breeding season, the males perform dramatic U-shaped aerial displays. They fly to great heights and then dive downward at incredible speeds, using their tail feathers to create a sharp, mechanical 'metallic' sound at the bottom of the arc to impress nearby females.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture the Bahama Woodstar on your backyard camera, focus your efforts on 'hotspots' like nectar feeders or specific flowering plants such as Firebush (Hamelia patens) or Cape Honeysuckle. Place your camera on a tripod or mount it approximately 3 to 4 feet away from the target flower cluster. Because these birds are so small, a close-focusing distance is essential to fill the frame and help the AI accurately identify the species.

Lighting is the most critical factor for capturing the male's stunning iridescent purple throat. Position your camera so the sun is at its back, shining directly onto the area where the bird will hover. If the bird is backlit, the throat will appear black; with the sun behind the camera, the gorget will 'glow' with a brilliant violet light. High-speed shutter settings or 'Action' modes are recommended to freeze the wing motion, which can exceed 50 beats per second.

For the best results, set your camera to capture short video clips or high-frequency bursts rather than single photos. These birds often hover for only a few seconds before zipping away. If your camera has a 'Pre-roll' feature, enable it so you don't miss the arrival. Additionally, consider the background; a soft, out-of-focus green or blue background will make the bird's vibrant colors pop much more than a cluttered or high-contrast setting.

Finally, consistency is key. Keep your feeders clean and filled with a standard 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio (no red dye). Once a Woodstar identifies your yard as a reliable food source, it will return multiple times a day on a predictable circuit, giving you numerous opportunities to refine your camera angles and capture the perfect shot.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bahama Woodstar.

Inagua Woodstar

Found only on Great and Little Inagua; males have a more extensive purple gorget that reaches behind the eye and a differently shaped tail.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

A rare winter migrant to the Bahamas; males have a fiery red throat rather than violet, and the bill is straighter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bahama Woodstars are most active during the early morning hours shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk. These are their primary feeding windows when they are most likely to visit garden flowers and feeders.

The best way to attract them is by planting native nectar-rich flowers like Firebush, Hibiscus, or Bahama Senna. Providing a clean hummingbird feeder with a simple sugar-water solution (4 parts water to 1 part white sugar) is also highly effective.

Their diet consists mostly of nectar from flowers, which provides the high energy needed for flight. However, they also hunt small insects and spiders mid-air to get the protein and minerals necessary for their health.

Yes, they are very well-adapted to human environments. They are commonly found in residential gardens, urban parks, and hotel landscaping throughout the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

In the Bahamas, look at the throat: the Bahama Woodstar male has a violet-purple gorget, while the Ruby-throated has a bright red one. Additionally, the Woodstar has a slightly curved bill and stays in the islands year-round, whereas the Ruby-throated is a rare winter visitor.

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