Eulampis holosericeus

Eulampis holosericeus. It is a distinctive and medium-sized species of hummingbird endemic to the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico. Known commonly as the green-throated carib, it is a prominent nectarivore within its range, playing a vital role in the pollination of many native plants. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with the male's iridescent plumage being particularly striking.

Description

The adult male is characterized by a brilliant, shimmering emerald green throat and chest, with the rest of its upperparts being a deep bronze-green. Its most notable feature is a deeply forked, dark tail. The female lacks the vibrant gorget, instead displaying duller green upperparts and whitish underparts with green spotting along the flanks. Both sexes possess a long, slightly decurved bill, an adaptation for accessing nectar from a variety of flower shapes, particularly those of the genus Heliconia and other Malvaceae. The species is similar in size and structure to its close relative, the purple-throated carib (Eulampis jugularis), but is readily distinguished by its throat coloration and distribution.

Distribution and habitat

This hummingbird is resident across much of the Lesser Antilles, with its range extending from Anguilla and Saint Martin south through Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. It is also found on Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, including Saint Thomas and Saint John. It inhabits a variety of wooded and flowering areas, from lush tropical rainforests and montane forests to coastal scrubland, plantations, and well-vegetated gardens. It is generally common from sea level up to elevations of about 1,000 meters on most islands.

Behavior and ecology

Like all hummingbirds, it is a highly active and territorial species, with males often defending rich patches of blossom from intruders, including other hummingbirds like the Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus). Its primary food source is nectar, which it supplements with small insects and spiders for protein. Its flight is characterized by the rapid wingbeats typical of the family Trochilidae, allowing for precise hovering. It is an important pollinator for many endemic plants, forming a key part of the insular ecosystem. The female alone builds a small, cup-shaped nest from plant down and spiderweb, typically placed on a horizontal branch. She incubates the two white eggs and cares for the young.

Taxonomy and systematics

The species was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 work Systema Naturae, where he placed it in the genus Trochilus. It was later moved to its current monotypic genus, Eulampis, which it shares with the purple-throated carib. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek for "bright" or "shining". Its specific epithet, holosericeus, comes from Greek and Latin roots meaning "all silky," referring to its plumage. Within the Caribbean, it is part of a distinctive avian fauna that has evolved in relative isolation. Phylogenetic studies place it within the bee hummingbird tribe Mellisugini, closely related to other Antillean genera like Sericotes.

Conservation status

The green-throated carib is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its relatively large range and stable population trend. It is generally adaptable and can thrive in disturbed and secondary habitats, which has buffered it from significant declines. However, localized threats may exist from habitat destruction for agriculture or urban development, and potential impacts from climate change on floral resources. It is present in several protected areas across its range, such as Virgin Islands National Park and the Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica.

Category:Hummingbirds Category:Birds of the Caribbean Category:Birds described in 1758