A White-necked Jacobin hummingbird photograph is now part of Ouest-France’s photo coverage, featured in the newspaper’s evening roundup of images from around the world. Ouest-France is France’s best-selling daily newspaper, read by more than two million people every day, so the credit puts this hummingbird image in front of one of the largest newspaper audiences in Europe.
About the Photograph
The photograph shows a White-necked Jacobin in flight, taken in Boca Tapada, a rainforest region in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands known for its hummingbird activity. Capturing a hummingbird mid-flight takes a fast shutter and a lot of patience, since the birds rarely hold still for more than a fraction of a second.
About the White-necked Jacobin
The White-necked Jacobin is a mid-size hummingbird, about 11 to 12 centimeters long, easy to identify by the crisp white band across the back of its neck, which is where the name comes from. Males have a deep blue head and chest, a bright green back, and a mostly white tail, a bold combination of color even in fast flight. The species ranges from southern Mexico through Central America into northern South America, and it is a regular presence in Costa Rica’s lowland forests.
About Ouest-France
Founded in 1944 and based in Rennes, Ouest-France is the largest daily newspaper in France by circulation. Its daily photo features draw on images from photojournalists around the world, and this White-necked Jacobin photograph is the latest of Ronen’s images to appear there.
See more of Ronen’s published work, including features in National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, and The New York Times, or read about recent trips through Costa Rica’s rainforests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a White-necked Jacobin hummingbird?
The White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) is a mid-size hummingbird found across Central America and northern South America. It gets its name from the sharp white band across the back of the neck, most visible on adult males.
How do you identify a White-necked Jacobin?
Males have a deep blue head and chest, a white band on the nape, a bright green back, and a mostly white tail with black tips. Females are more variable. Some look similar to males, while others have green upperparts with a scaled blue-green throat and a mostly green tail.
Where do White-necked Jacobins live?
Their range runs from southern Mexico through Central America into Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia, along with Trinidad and Tobago. They favor humid forest canopies, forest edges, secondary growth, and gardens, including in Costa Rica’s lowland rainforests.
Is the White-necked Jacobin rare?
No. It’s listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and it’s described as a common, conspicuous hummingbird within its range. How easily you’ll spot one still depends on the location and habitat.
Where was this White-necked Jacobin photographed?
This photograph was taken in Boca Tapada, a rainforest region in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands known for its hummingbird activity.