Birds Active during the day

Inagua Woodstar

Nesophlox lyrura

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the jewel of the southern Bahamas. With its stunning violet crown and unique lyre-shaped tail, the Inagua Woodstar is a master of aerial dance found nowhere else on Earth.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length 7.5-8.2 cm (3-3.2 inches); wingspan approx 10 cm (4 inches); weight 2.5-3 grams (0.09-0.11 oz)

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Colors

Males have an iridescent violet-purple crown and throat, white breast, and green upperparts. Females have green upperparts and buffy or cinnamon-tinged underparts.

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Key Features

Lyre-shaped outer tail feathers in males
Iridescent violet-purple forehead and throat on males
Small, slightly decurved black bill
Distinctive white spot behind the eye

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily floral nectar from native plants like aloe, hibiscus, and agave; also consumes small insects and spiders caught mid-air for essential protein.

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Habitat Arid scrubland, tropical dry forest, suburban gardens, and coastal coppice.

Behavior

The Inagua Woodstar is a highly energetic and territorial hummingbird known for its remarkable aerial acrobatics. Males are particularly famous for their courtship displays, where they fly in high, u-shaped arcs while making a mechanical 'twanging' sound with their specialized tail feathers. These birds are generally solitary outside of the breeding season and will fiercely guard a favorite nectar source from other hummingbirds and even larger insects.

In backyard settings, they are curious but quick, often hovering for a few seconds to inspect new objects before darting away. They have a characteristic 'pumping' motion with their tails while hovering. Despite their small size, they are incredibly hardy, having adapted to the relatively arid conditions of the southern Bahamas where they are the dominant hummingbird species.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Inagua Woodstar on camera, focus on high-speed triggers. Because these birds move with incredible velocity, a camera with a fast shutter speed or a specialized 'bird detection' AI mode is essential. Place your camera approximately 3 to 5 feet away from a reliable nectar source, such as a hummingbird feeder or a patch of Aloe vera or Hibiscus. Since these birds are low-flyers in the scrub, mounting your camera at chest height (around 4-5 feet) often yields the most intimate eye-level shots.

Lighting is the most critical factor for showcasing the male's iridescent violet plumage. Position your camera so the sun is behind it, illuminating the bird's throat as it faces the lens; without direct light, the vibrant purple will appear black. Early morning light—the first two hours after sunrise—provides the best 'golden hour' glow without the harsh shadows of the tropical midday sun.

For the best results, use a 'burst' or 'photo-trap' setting that takes multiple images in quick succession. This increases your chances of catching the male's unique 'lyre' tail feathers spread open. If using video, a high frame rate (60fps or higher) is recommended so you can playback their rapid wingbeats in slow motion. Avoid placing cameras in high-wind areas, as the motion of surrounding leaves can trigger false recordings and the birds prefer sheltered feeding spots.

Similar Species

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

Bahama Woodstar

Found on most other Bahamian islands; males lack the purple crown and the lyre-shaped tail feathers of the Inagua species.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Inagua Woodstars are most active during the early morning (sunrise to 10 AM) and late afternoon (3 PM to sunset). They often retreat to shaded perches during the hottest part of the midday sun to conserve energy.

Planting native flowering species like Aloe vera, Firebush (Hamelia patens), and Hibiscus is the best way to attract them. They are also frequent visitors to hummingbird feeders filled with a 4:1 water-to-sugar solution.

Their diet consists primarily of sugar-rich nectar for energy and tiny insects or spiders for protein. They are particularly fond of the nectar from desert-adapted plants found in the southern Bahamas.

Yes, within their limited range on Great Inagua, they are very common in residential gardens and parks, especially where locals maintain flowering plants or nectar feeders.

The male Inagua Woodstar has an iridescent purple crown (forehead) in addition to its throat, whereas the Bahama Woodstar only has a purple throat. Additionally, the Inagua male has unique, strongly curved 'lyre-shaped' outer tail feathers.

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