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Arizona boasts 18 species of hummingbirds - more than any other state except Texas. SABO has received funding from the Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative to begin a statewide citizen-science project to document the distribution of Arizona's hummingbirds, the timing of their breeding and migration cycles, and the natural and man-made habitats on which they depend. Birders, gardeners, and other hummingbird enthusiasts are invited to contribute to this effort.
For updates on this project and more information on how you can participate, please visit the Arizona Hummingbird Survey Web site.
All photos, graphics, and text on these pages are protected by international copyright laws and may not be used without permission.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia violiceps Size: 4 1/2" Adults: large, entire underparts snow white, crown bright blue-violet, bill red with black tip, back and tail dull grayish green to bronze-green Immatures: duller with pale feather edging Range: nests from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to southwestern Mexico, resident from central Sonora south Status in AZ: uncommon and local summer resident, rare winter resident; most often seen at the Patons' feeders in Patagonia and SABO's Banning Creek Field Station in the Mule Mountains, more rarely elsewhere including Miller Canyon, San Pedro River; a few winter in Arizona, mainly around Patagonia and the Mule Mountains Habitat: cottonwood and sycamore forest along desert and canyon streams Nesting season: mostly July-September Migration: most individuals leave breeding range by late fall to winter in western Mexico; a few have wandered to western Texas and California (for more Violet-crowned photos, see the Banning Creek Photo Album and the Hummingbird Banding Photo Album)
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Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina beryllina Size: 4 1/2" Adults: large, throat and breast glittering green, slightly duller and slightly scaly-looking in female; upperparts bright green to rump, blending to rufous brown upper tail coverts and tail; tail glossed with plum purple iridescence; bill blackish with orange-red at base of lower mandible Immatures: slightly duller with pale feather edging Range: Sierra Madre of northwestern Mexico south and east to Isthmus of Tehuantepec (subspecies) Status in AZ: rare and local summer resident; records for Ramsey Canyon, Miller Canyon, Cave Creek Canyon, Madera Canyon, Chiricahua National Monument Habitat: pine-oak woodland and sycamore streamside forest in mountain canyons Nesting season: mostly July-September Migration: typically arrives in Arizona at or just prior to beginning of rainy season (June, July); has nested in Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila Size: 4 1/2" Adults: large, underparts bright cinnamon; upperparts bright green to rump, blending to rufous upper tail coverts and tail; tail glossed with green iridescence; bill orange-red with black tip; immatures are slightly duller with pale feather edging Range: Pacific coast of Mexico from central Sinaloa south to Costa Rica, northern and eastern coasts of Yucatan Peninsula to northeastern Belize; 2 records from U.S. (Patagonia, AZ, southern NM) Status in AZ: accidental; first U.S. record from Patagonia Habitat: tropical deciduous forest, cottonwood-willow streamside forest Nesting season: summer through early fall Migration: little known
Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris Size: 4" Adult male: glittering cobalt blue throat blends into deep emerald green breast and upper belly, bill red and black, back deep emerald green; tail steel blue with dark gray edges widest on central feathers; lower belly and undertail coverts pale to medium gray; immature male similar to female but with some blue on throat, more red on bill Female: plain pale to medium gray throat and underparts, pale line behind eye with dark stripe below, bill black with red-orange at base, back and crown deep green, outer tail feathers blue-black and white, rounded; immature female slightly duller with pale feather edging Range: nests from southeastern Arizona through central Sonora, resident from southern Sonora to central and southwestern Mexico; rare in summer in southwestern New Mexico and far western Texas Status in AZ: common to abundant spring and summer resident in drainages of Santa Cruz River (Patagonia, Nogales, Santa Rita Mts.), uncommon to rare outside this core range, including Mule Mountains, Huachuca Mountains; rare in winter at lower elevations Habitat: desert scrub, woodlands Nesting season: spring through summer Migration: most individuals leave breeding range by October to winter in western Mexico, a few remain in Arizona all year or wander east or west in fall
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis Size: 4" Adult male: brilliant turquoise green of throat becomes separate spangles on white background on lower breast and flanks, broad blue violet band completely encircles base of bill in mature males (2 yrs. and older); bill, short, thin, straight, red and black; back deep green with rusty wash, slightly notched tail emerald to bronze green, outer feathers darker; lower belly and undertail coverts white Immature male: similar to female but with a distinct green patch on throat, more red on bill Female: white to pale cream throat spangled with golden green to turquoise green, belly white, broad white line behind eye with broad blackish stripe below, bill black with some red-orange at base, back and crown deep green; tail slightly notched, outer feathers tipped in dingy white, rounded; immature female shows distinct pale feathers edges, darker bill Range: nests in southeastern Arizona and northwestern Mexico, resident from central Sonora south to southern Central America Status in AZ: currently rare but regular spring and summer resident in Huachuca Mts. (Miller Canyon, Ramsey Canyon), very rare elsewhere in mountains of southeastern Arizona Habitat: mountain oak woodland, pine-oak forest Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrive late March to late April, leave breeding range by October to winter in western Mexico; has nested in Huachuca Mountains
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens Size: 5 1/4" Adult male: very large, dark, with bright turquoise green gorget, violet to purple crown, small white triangle behind eye, black breast, dark green back, gray undertail coverts, bronze green notched tail Immature male: deep green back, dark gray underparts often with some patchy black feathers, shows a central patch of bright green gorget feathers and spots of violet on crown, smudgy whitish tips on outer tail feathers; appears scaly all over from pale feathers edges Female: very large, medium gray throat and underparts, small white triangle and uneven pale stripe behind eye, bill long and all black, back deep green, outer tail feathers banded bronze green, black and grayish white; call note is a sharp tschip; immature female often appears scaly below Range: eastern and southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and western Texas, year-round resident from western Mexico to Costa Rica; rare visitor to Colorado Status in AZ: uncommon to common spring and summer resident in higher mountains of southeastern Arizona (especially Chiricahuas, Huachucas, Santa Ritas.), uncommon to rare north of Mogollon Rim and east into western New Mexico Habitat: conifer forest, oak woodland in mountain canyons Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: most individuals leave breeding range by October to winter in western Mexico, a few are resident around feeders in southeastern Arizona
Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae Size: 5 1/4" Adult male: very large, with bright blue gorget, bold white stripe behind eye, dark gray cheek, narrow white streak along jaw line, crown and shoulders bright green, lower back bronze green blending to blackish rump, tail blue-black with large white corners; sings a monotonous tseep tseep tseep..., like a squeaky wheel, from an exposed perch in the forest subcanopy Immature male: shows less blue in gorget than adult male, pale feather edging on back and head Female: similar to male but with gray throat; bill medium length (shorter than in female Magnificent) Range: uncommon and local summer resident in mountains southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico and western Texas, year-round resident in mountains of Mexico; rarely wanders to Colorado, California, Gulf Coast Status in AZ: locally common spring and summer resident in Huachuca and Chiricahua Mountains, rare to uncommon elsewhere in southeastern Arizona; most common in Cave Creek Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, uncommon to rare in Miller Canyon, Madera Canyon Habitat: streamside forests of Arizona Sycamore and Bigtooth Maple in mountain canyons Nesting season: late spring through summer. Migration: most individuals leave breeding range by October to winter in western Mexico, a few are resident around feeders in southeastern Arizona
Plain-capped Starthroat Heliomaster constantii Size: 5 1/2" Adults: very large with extremely long, black bill; gorget dull blackish with broad cherry red band at base, often with scaly appearance from pale feather edges; upperparts bronze green to olive green with ragged white vertical stripe on lower back; underparts medium gray with whitish stripe down midline of breast and belly; slightly notched tail bronze green and blackish with white tips on outer 4 pairs of feathers (3 in most other species); wings extend to tail tip or beyond Immatures: like adults but no red on dark gray-brown throat, pale feather edgings on back and head Range: nests from central Sonora through northwestern Costa Rica, resident from southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa south Status in AZ: rare post-breeding visitor; recent localities include Ash Canyon, Madera Canyon, Cave Creek Canyon, Coronado National Memorial, Patagonia. Habitat: tropical deciduous forest, cottonwood-willow streamside forest, and oak woodland in lower to middle elevations Nesting season: late winter through mid-summer Migration: returns to southern and central Sonora by March, most AZ records post-breeding (Jun-Aug). (for more Starthroat photos, see the Miller Canyon Photo Album)
Lucifer Hummingbird Calothorax lucifer Size: 3 3/4" Adult male: small, slim, with slightly curved bill, brilliant magenta to blue-violet gorget, upper breast and sides of neck white; tail deeply forked, outer feathers long, narrow and blackish; immature male similar to female but usually with some colored feathers in gorget Female: small, slim, with slightly curved bill, pale rusty underparts, dark, curving line behind eye; tail long and very narrow, outer feathers banded rufous, black, and white Range: nests from western Texas, southern New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona to southern Mexico, resident in southern parts of range Status in AZ: rare but regular summer resident in Cave Creek Canyon, Mule Mountains, and Miller Canyon, rare and irregular in Santa Rita Mountains; very rare nest records include Chiricahua, Mule, and Santa Rita mts. An uncommon visitor to SABO's Banning Creek Field Station in spring and summer. Habitat: desert scrub and mountain woodlands Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in April, leaves by early fall to winter in western Mexico
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Size: 3 3/4" Adult male: gorget scarlet to coppery red with narrow, velvety black "chinstrap," upper breast and partial collar white, outer tail feathers black, pointed; immature male similar to female but usually with conspicuous "five o'clock shadow" in rough outline of adult gorget, often with a few colored feathers Female: pale gray to whitish below, bright green above, bill medium length and straight to slightly decurved, outer tail feathers pointed (rounded in immature female), banded gray-green, black and white; call note is a soft tchew or nasal tchup. Very similar to female Black-chinned but with longer tail, shorter bill, greener upperparts, and narrower, straighter wing tips. Range: nests from Atlantic Coast states west to central Texas and Oklahoma, north to southern Canada (westward to western Alberta); winters in western and central Mexico, southern Florida, casually along Gulf Coast; extremely rare (and probably overlooked) vagrant in U.S. west of the Great Plains. Status in AZ: accidental; first documented record for Arizona, an adult female, spent the winter of 2005 in Tucson; see photo album for more information. An adult male spent part of the fall of 2007 in Patagonia. Females and young males are probably overlooked in fall migration and winter, mistaken for Black-chinned, Anna's or Costa's. Habitat: deciduous and mixed forest and woodland Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds between last week of February (south) and mid-May (north), leaves in fall to winter in southern Mexico and Central America (south to Costa Rica); most likely to be seen west of Great Plains from August through October.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Size: 3 3/4" Adult male: gorget velvety black with a violet band at the bottom, upper breast and partial collar white, outer tail feathers black, pointed; performs a J-shaped display flight accompanied by a shrill twitter, probably created by air rushing over the wings and/or tail; immature male similar to female but usually with conspicuous "five o'clock shadow" in rough outline of adult gorget, often with a few colored feathers Female: pale gray below, dull to moderately bright green above with a dingy grayish crown, bill long and slightly decurved, outer tail feathers pointed (rounded in immature female), banded gray, black and white; call note is a soft tchew. Range: nests from central Texas and Oklahoma west to California, and central Mexico north to southern British Columbia; winters in western and central Mexico Status in AZ: common to abundant summer resident (mostly April-September) in lower to middle elevations Habitat: oak woodland, streamside forest and woodland, thickets of mesquite and hackberry in desert scrub Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in spring, leaves in fall to winter in western and southern Mexico; occasionally wanders east during migration and winters along Gulf Coast
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna Size: 4" Adult male: rose red to coppery red gorget with elongated corners, crown the same color, upper breast gray; tail long, deeply notched, outer tail feathers gray, blunt-tipped; sings a scratchy, squeaky song from an exposed perch; immature male similar to female but usually with conspicuous "five o'clock shadow" in rough outline of adult gorget, often with many colored feathers by late summer Female: dull to bright green above, grayish below, bill medium length and straight, tail long, notched, with rounded outer feathers banded gray, black and white; adult female usually has an irregular patch of red or copper in the center of the throat; call note is a rich chip or chik Range: resident from California east to far western Texas, north to southern British Columbia Status in AZ: common year-round resident in lower elevations of southern and central Arizona, including Tucson, common to abundant visitor late summer through early fall in southeastern mountains (particularly Huachucas, Santa Ritas, Santa Catalinas, Mules) Habitat: woodland, chaparral, desert scrub, urban and suburban areas Nesting season: late winter through spring Migration: mostly resident, wanders south and into the mountains in summer and fall
Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae Size: 3 1/2" Adult male: small, violet to purple gorget with extremely long extensions at corners, crown the same color, throat, upper breast, and midline of belly white, outer tail feathers gray, pointed; song is a shrill whee-oo during elliptical display flights; immature male similar to female but usually with conspicuous "five o'clock shadow" in rough outline of adult gorget, often with few to many colored feathers Female: small, pale gray below, green above, occasionally with blackish or iridescent purple spot in center of throat, bill very short and thin; wings usually reach tip of short, notched tail, rounded outer tail feathers banded gray, black and white; call note is a weak, dry tik or tchik Range: resident in southern California east to southeastern Arizona, western Mexico, nests north to central California, southern Nevada and Utah; "wintering" range extends south and east of nesting range on Pacific slope of Mexico (late summer-early winter) Status in AZ: uncommon to common year-round resident in west and southwest; uncommon to rare spring resident and late summer visitor in southeastern AZ, including Miller Canyon, Mule Mountains; most easily found in Sonoran Desert (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Saguaro National Park) February-May. Habitat: nests in desert scrub, chaparral, thornscrub, tropical deciduous forest, suburban areas; may "winter" in oak woodland or conifer forest in mountains (late summer through early fall) Nesting season: late winter through spring Migration: some individuals resident in southern parts of range; migrants arrive on breeding grounds in late winter to early spring, may wander to higher elevations in summer and fall
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Size: 3 3/4" Adult male: red-orange to yellow-orange gorget; back, rump and upper tail coverts bright rufous, upper half of back often spangled with green or entirely green; tail feathers rufous with black tips, pointed, second pair from center distinctly notched near tip; modified outer primaries make a metallic whine in flight; immature male similar to female but with more rufous on upper tail coverts and central tail feathers, more heavily spangled throat, often with a few orange feathers (not safely separable from immature male Allen's in the field) Female: pale rufous and cream below, bright green above, usually with iridescent orange patch in center of throat, bill short and thin; tail rounded, outer feathers banded rufous, black and white; immature females show little or no rufous in central tail feathers, upper tail coverts; not safely separable from female Allen's in the field Range: nests from southern Oregon to southeastern Alaska, east to western Montana; winters from northern to south-central Mexico Status in AZ: migrant only, rare to uncommon in spring (March-April), common to abundant in fall (July-Sept.) Habitat: conifer forest Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in late winter to early spring, leaves as early as June (adult males) for wintering grounds in western and southern Mexico; common migrant along Pacific Coast and through the western mountains, occasionally wanders east during migration to winter in southeastern U.S. and along Gulf Coast, rare elsewhere in the East in fall and winter
Allen's Hummingbird Selasphorus sasin Size: 3 3/4" Adult male: red-orange to yellow-orange gorget, bright green back, rufous rump, tail feathers rufous with black tips, outermost pair extremely narrow and pointed; modified outer primaries make a metallic whine in flight; immature male similar to female but with more rufous on upper tail coverts and central tail feathers, more heavily spangled throat, often with a few orange feathers; usually not safely separable from immature male Rufous in the field Female: like female Rufous Hummingbird but with slightly narrower tail feathers; usually not safely separable from female Rufous in the field Range: nests along Pacific Coast from southern California to southern Oregon; uncommon permanent resident on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and nearby coastal islands of southern California (S. s. sedentarius); winters in south-central Mexico Status in AZ: accidental in spring migration and winter, rare in fall migration in southeastern AZ (Patagonia, Madera Canyon, Miller Canyon); almost unknown from northern and central AZ Habitat: chaparral, woodland Nesting season: late spring through summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in late winter to early spring, leaves by late summer for wintering grounds in south-central Mexico, except for non-migratory population in southern California; southward migration is farther east for some individuals, a few may stray to Gulf Coast or Eastern Seaboard states
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Size: 4" Adult male: rose red to hot pink gorget, bright green back, upper breast white, tail pointed, outer feathers blunt-tipped, black with narrow rufous edging; modified outer primaries make a silvery trill in flight; immature male similar to female but with more heavily spangled throat, often with a few red feathers Female: pale rufous and white below, bright green above, throat pale cream delicately spangled with bronze green, bill medium length and thin; tail long and rounded, outer tail feathers banded rufous, black and white, no rufous in upper tail coverts Range: nests from southern Arizona and far western Texas to Idaho and Wyoming; resident from northwestern Mexico to Guatemala Status in AZ: summer resident in conifer forest, uncommon to common in southeastern "sky island" mountains (Chiricahuas, Huachucas, Santa Ritas, Santa Catalinas, Mules, Pinaleños), common to abundant in the north (Flagstaff, White Mountains) Habitat: pine-oak woodland, conifer forest, mountain meadows Nesting season: summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in late winter to early spring, leaves by early fall for wintering grounds in western and southern Mexico; occasionally wanders east to winter along Gulf Coast
Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope Size: 3 1/4" Adult male: gorget of wine red streaks over white background, upper breast white, bill very short, back green, tail very short (barely reaching wing tips), notched, outer feathers gray and blunt-tipped; immature male similar to female but with more heavily spangled throat, often with a few red feathers Female: pale rufous and white below, bright green above, throat pale cream delicately spangled with bronze green, bill very short and thin, tail very short (barely reaching wing tips), slightly notched, outer tail feathers gray, black and white, often with a small amount of rufous Range: nests from northern Baja California north to central British Columbia, east to Wyoming, Montana and western Alberta; winters in western and southwestern Mexico Status in AZ: rare to uncommon spring migrant, mostly through mountains; uncommon to common fall migrant at all elevations Habitat: conifer forest, mountain meadows Nesting season: summer Migration: arrives on breeding grounds in spring, leaves by late summer for wintering grounds in western and southern Mexico; occasionally wanders east to winter along Gulf Coast
Bumblebee Hummingbird Atthis heloisa Size: 3 1/4" Adult male: gorget red-purple to blue-violet, pointed tips of feathers at corners creates jagged edges; upper breast and midline white, sides and flanks green; bill very short, black; back green, tail short (extending slightly beyond wing tips), rounded, outer feathers banded rufous, black and white as in female; outer primary narrowed, creating distinctive buzzy wing sound; similar to male Calliope except for solid gorget, tail pattern Female: white below with rufous sides and flanks, bright green above; throat white to pale cream delicately spangled with bronze green, bill very short and thin, tail short (extending slightly beyond wing tips), rounded, outer tail feathers banded rufous, black and white; very similar to female Calliope Range: Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre del Sur, and Central Volcanic Range of Mexico, north to southern Chihuahua and Tamaulipas Status in AZ: accidental; 2 specimens collected in the Huachuca Mountains in July 1896, no subsequent records Habitat: mountain conifer forest, pine-oak woodland Nesting season: summer Migration: little known
White-lined Sphinx Moth ("hummingbird moth," "baby hummingbird") Hyles lineata Size: approx. 2" Adult: abdomen marked with olive brown, black, white, and pink checkering, olive brown thorax striped in white. Wings seldom seen except as a blur; front pair olive brown with pale diagonal slash crisscrossed by fine white lines, rear pair banded in salmon pink and black. Two narrow antennae extend from front of head above thin black proboscis and large dark eyes; six long, thread-like white legs may dangle downward or be held against body. Behavior: Does not perch, chirp, or defend nectar sources as hummingbirds typically do. Silent except for faint wing whir, seldom comes to rest. Active night and day but most often observed between sunset and sunrise and on cloudy days. Takes nectar from a variety of plants, including many visited by hummingbirds. Often allows much closer approach than a hummingbird would without apparent response. Caterpillar: smooth skin marked with stripes, lines, and dots of black, yellow, green and white. Rear end sports a long, stinger-like "horn" that is actually flexible and harmless (hence the name "hornworm"). Feeds on many plants, including some cultivated species; wild four-o'clocks (Boerhaavia) are a popular host in Arizona. Caterpillars on vegetables or ornamental plants can be controlled by hand removal or use of a product containing the natural pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Range: much of North America. Many other medium-sized sphinx moths are mistaken for hummingbirds; see Plate 31 in A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America for more examples. Habitat: gardens, meadows, grasslands, woodlands
© 2000-2007 Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory All photos, graphics, and text on these pages are protected by international copyright laws and may not be used without permission.