White-necked Jacobin

The White-necked Jacobin is a bold, handsome hummingbird found from Mexico south through much of tropical South America. The adult male shows a rich blue-violet head and throat that contrasts sharply with a broad white band across the nape, a green back, and clean white underparts, while the tail is mostly white with a dark central band and edge, forming a conspicuous pattern in flight.

Females and immatures are more variable, often showing a scaled or mottled green-and-white pattern on the throat and underparts rather than the male's clean-cut blocks of color, and some females can even resemble males. This species is a frequent and often dominant visitor at flowering trees and feeders, using its size and boldness to displace smaller hummingbirds.

Key field marks

• Males: deep blue-violet head and throat, white nape band, green back, white underparts, white tail with dark band
• Females: variable, often scaled green-and-white on throat and underparts, less clean-cut than males
• Fairly large, robust build for a hummingbird
• White in the tail is conspicuous in flight for both sexes to varying degrees

Similar species

• No other widespread lowland hummingbird combines the male's blue-violet hood with a white nape band and mostly white tail, making adult males distinctive.
• Females can be confused with various other hummingbirds but the white-based tail and often scaly underparts are helpful clues.

Habitat

Found at forest edges, clearings, and in the canopy of humid lowland forest, as well as gardens and plantations near forest.

Range

Widespread from southern Mexico through Central America and into much of tropical South America, including the Amazon basin.

Migration

Generally resident, though some local and altitudinal movements occur in response to flowering.

Behavior

Bold and often dominant at flowering trees and feeders, aggressively chasing off smaller hummingbirds; frequently forages high in the canopy but also visits lower flowering shrubs.

Voice

A variety of high, squeaky chattering notes and thin chips, without a highly distinctive song.

Feeding

Feeds on nectar from a wide range of flowering trees and shrubs, and catches small insects in aerial sallies.

Nesting

Builds a cup nest of plant down and moss, often on a horizontal branch or vine; the female incubates the typical clutch of 2 white eggs alone.