Birds diurnal

Blue-headed Hummingbird

Riccordia bicolor

A shimmering jewel found only in the heart of the Lesser Antilles, the Blue-headed Hummingbird dazzles with its deep sapphire crown and emerald-green body. This rare Caribbean specialty is a must-see for any backyard birder on Dominica or Martinique.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 in); Wingspan: 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 in); Weight: 4.5 g (0.16 oz)

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Colors

Males feature a brilliant sapphire-blue head and throat with an emerald-green body; females have bronze-green upperparts and white underparts.

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Key Features

Deep sapphire-blue head and throat (males only)
Iridescent emerald-green body plumage
Notched, dark blue-black tail
Clean white underparts (females)
Found only on Dominica and Martinique

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:30-9:30 AM and 3:30-5:30 PM

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Season Year-round; sightings peak during the breeding season from February to May.

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Diet Specializes in nectar from tubular flowers like Heliconia and Centropogon; also hunts small insects and spiders mid-air for essential protein.

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Habitat Lush montane forests, riverine corridors, and tropical gardens with high flowering plant density.

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Behavior

The Blue-headed Hummingbird is a vigorous and territorial resident of the Lesser Antilles. Like many of its relatives, it is a high-energy flyer, spending much of its day darting between nectar sources with incredible precision. While they can be solitary and aggressive toward other hummingbirds when defending a prime feeding spot, they are also known for their 'trap-lining' behavior—visiting a series of flowering plants in a specific, repeatable circuit throughout the forest.

In human-inhabited areas, they are cautious but can become quite bold if a reliable source of nectar or a feeder is provided. They are most frequently observed along the edges of forests and near riverbanks, where they perform acrobatic aerial displays. Their flight is accompanied by a distinctive low humming sound, a result of their rapid wingbeats which can exceed 50 beats per second during hover.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of the Blue-headed Hummingbird, camera placement is everything. Position your AI-powered camera within 3 to 5 feet of red or orange tubular flowers, such as Hibiscus or Heliconia. Because these birds are exceptionally fast, ensure your camera is set to its highest possible frame rate (60fps or higher for video) or use a 'burst' photo mode. If your camera allows for manual shutter speed, aim for 1/2000s to freeze the wing motion, or 1/500s if you prefer a slight, artistic wing blur.

Lighting is the 'secret sauce' for this species. To make the sapphire blue of the male's head really pop, place the camera with the sun at your back, so the light hits the bird's feathers directly before reflecting into the lens. Side-lighting can also work well to highlight the texture of their emerald scales, but avoid shooting directly into the sun, as the bird will appear as a dark silhouette, losing all its characteristic color.

If you are using a feeder to attract them, choose a model with a perch. While they are masters of hovering, they will often rest for a few seconds to drink, providing the perfect window for a crystal-clear high-resolution shot. Place the feeder in a shaded area near a 'launching' branch; the bird will sit on the branch to survey the area before diving into the feeder. This predictable flight path is your best chance for a focused, mid-air capture.

During the nesting season (February to May), keep an eye out for nests in tree ferns or low-hanging branches near water. If you find one, do not place the camera too close—use a zoom lens or a long-range mounting position to avoid distressing the mother. Observing the transition from incubation to the chicks' first flight offers some of the most rewarding footage possible for island birdwatchers.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Blue-headed Hummingbird.

Antillean Crested Hummingbird

Smaller with a prominent pointed crest on the head; lacks the deep blue throat of the Blue-headed male.

Purple-throated Carib

Much larger with a distinctly curved bill and a shimmering purple throat rather than a blue head.

Green-throated Carib

Larger with a bright green throat and breast, lacking the specific sapphire-blue head coloration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Blue-headed Hummingbirds are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise (around 6:30-9:30 AM) and again in the late afternoon before dusk. They use these cooler periods to forage intensely for nectar.

Plant native Caribbean flowering plants like Heliconia, Hibiscus, and ginger lilies. You can also use a hummingbird feeder with a simple 4:1 water-to-white-sugar ratio; avoid using red dyes, as the red color of the feeder itself is enough to attract them.

Their diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers, providing the sugar needed for their high-metabolism flight. They also supplement this with 'hawking' for tiny gnats, flies, and spiders to get necessary protein and minerals.

They are somewhat common in suburban areas on Dominica and Martinique, provided there is plenty of lush, tropical vegetation. However, they prefer forest edges and gardens that border natural woodland or rivers.

The most obvious difference is the head: the Blue-headed male has a flat, brilliant blue crown and throat, whereas the Antillean Crested has a distinctive pointed green or iridescent crest. Additionally, the Blue-headed is slightly larger and lacks the grey underparts seen in some other local species.

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