Zunzun and Zunzuncito by Ken _Gilliland
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Description
It's hard for me not to chuckle a little when thinking how the local common names for the Cuban Emerald and Bee Hummingbird came about. Was it that how they first described the hummingbird zipping past them... "there was this little bird went zun,.. zun right past me"?
The Zun-zun or Cuban Emerald is the national bird of Cuba and found there and the Bahamas. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats; forests, coastal vegetation, and gardens. It measures about 3.5 - 4 inches (9-10.5 cm).
The Zunzuncito or Bee hummingbird is endemic to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. It has the distinction of being the smallest living songbird on the planet measuring only 2 inches (5cm) in length. While it may only be half the size of it's Zun-zun cousin, it makes up for that in wingbeats; this hummingbird sets another record at 80 wing beats per second, making their wings simply a blur to the naked eye.
The Bee hummingbird is in trouble and has a "Near Threatened" status. Much of Cuba's natural vegetation has been converted to cultivation and pasture for cattle, with only 15-20% of land remaining in its natural state, and the recent expansion of cacao, coffee and tobacco production poses a further serious threat.
Both the Zun-zun and Zunzuncito tend to get along (unlike most other hummingbirds). Scientists believe this is because the Bee Hummingbird (Zunzuncito) normally goes after different nectar sources than the Cuban Emerald due to its' size and therefore isn't consider a competitor.
Rendered in Poser 2012 without post work. Models: Various Plants & Flowers from LB Botanicals and my Songbird ReMix Hummingbirds. Backing Photo (Me; Belize pretending to be Cuba)
Comments (11)
aubedo
Dreamlike...
Jean_C
Beautiful bird, splendid colors!
adorety
Wonderful image and sad state for of affairs for the bird and Cuba. I think it's about time we lift the embargo on Cuba. It would help everybody. When I walked out the door of my recording studio about a week ago, a hummer flew around me and hovered over the geraniums for several seconds then took off. I imagine they're all on their way south by now. I'm in the NE so, it must be a ruby throated hummer.
kelvinhughes
most excellent Ken well done my friend same goes for a lot of the raptors of the world persecuted to death and left teetering on the edge of survial
shamstar
Gorgeous work. Beautiful flowers.
PointLady
Excellent image. The lillies look so good. Jan
jac204
I certainly hope that beautiful bird can survive. Thanks for sharing.
Kerya
Beautiful birds and beautiful scene!
Flint_Hawk
I love these jewels of the bird world! Fabulous scene!
psyoshida
Lovey picture (looks just like Cuba I think :) ) and great facts about the birds. Pretty amazing.
linwhite
Real ART!!! The little birds are just lovely, and you showed them perfectly in their Native Habitat. I feel so bad that they are endangered.