CubaPLUS Magazine

The bird known as the Cuban hummingbird takes the cake in terms of popularity among the various species of hummingbirds that exist on the island. This precious creature, of American origin, fascinates everyone not only for its beauty, but also for the energy of its incessantflapping in search of food, which is usually obtained by sipping the nectar preferably of flowers, or by sucking some insects and even small spiders with its sharp beak.

Well yes, it is fascinating to be able to observe the iridescribable flight of these small and delicate birds, capable of visiting from 300 to 5,000 flowers in one day, in search of their sustenance, thus establishing a very necessary and harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment, part of the cycle of life. In Cuba, they enjoy the privilege of having the so-called zunzuncito or fly bird, smaller even than the common zunzún, a miniature with wings of only 63 millimeters in size that lives preferentially in restricted habitats of Cape of Saint Anthony, western end of the country and in the Ciénaga de Zapata, considered the kingdom of Cuban birds.

The Cuban fly bird is so far the smallest on the planet.The brilliant coloring of the Cuban hummingbird, sometimes a dark jade green, other times lighter and silky in appearance, is admired by those lucky enough to see it.And luckily it is a spectacle that is not as rare or exclusive as we imagine, since this little bird is not shy with humans and sometimes attends certain gardens at very specific times, where it even comes close to drinking from a bunch of flowers held bya gentle person.

Like the rest of its congeners on the planet, the Cuban hummingbird does not usually fly or live in pairs, with the tenderness shown by parrots.They are a lively but solitary appearance and their mating and breeding season is believed to be very short.

A true gift of nature is considered here the existence of hummingbirds, fleeting-looking beings, as life sometimes is, which are nevertheless capable of facing larger birds when they feel that their young or nests are in danger. Beautiful, faithful and energetic, symbols highly valued by our compatriots.