Montego Bay’s iconic Hip Strip has a new landmark: a soaring 46-foot sculpture of Jamaica’s national bird, the streamer-tail hummingbird, affectionately known as the Doctor Bird. Perched on the façade of the award-winning S Hotel Montego Bay, the installation is both a striking symbol of national pride and a cultural catalyst along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.
Commissioned by hotelier Christopher Issa and crafted by renowned Jamaican sculptor Scheed Cole, the gleaming sculpture captures the Doctor Bird mid-flight with outstretched wings, iridescent plumage, and a hypnotic ribbon-like tail. Visible from miles along the coastline, the artwork is poised to become an iconic symbol for Montego Bay.
“This bird is a symbol of flight and resilience,” Issa said. “Like Jamaica, it’s small but powerful. We wanted something super special — a landmark that inspires locals, intrigues visitors, and celebrates what’s unique to this island.”
Constructed from fiberglass, polystyrene foam, and sheet metal, the sculpture was built in eight massive sections over three months entirely outdoors. Large enough to hold 10 people inside its hollow form, the project pushed creative and engineering boundaries in Jamaica.
Cole, who also designed the welcome sign at Sangster International Airport, described the piece as a personal mission. “Every major work I do is to prove what’s possible here in Jamaica, and this sculpture shows we can create world-class public art right at home,” he said.
The Doctor Bird is part of S Hotel’s broader cultural revival of Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, which includes the S Hotel Art Walk — a vibrant mural series celebrating Jamaican music legends — and themed hotel floors honoring icons like Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, and Louise Bennett.
From selfie-seekers to art lovers, the monumental Doctor Bird is set to become one of Montego Bay’s most photographed attractions, reinforcing Jamaica’s reputation as a hub of creativity, heritage, and visual storytelling.
