![]() ![]() In Arizona, the Black-chin inhabits deciduous woodland associations in low mountain canyons, desert riparian habitats, and cities. Habitats also include the thorn forest and thornscrub of southern Sonora.īlack-chinned Hummingbird: This is the “summer hummer” in southern Arizona. They tend to prefer edges of dense habitats, and the scrubbier areas of open habitats.īroad-billed Hummingbird: In Arizona and Sonora, the broad-bill is found in the lower mountain canyons and in the mesquite bosques of the larger washes and rivers. In our region, they can be found in desert, grassland, woodland, and forest. Hummingbirds occupy most temperate and tropical habitats in the western hemisphere. She also has a cinnamon wash to the flanks and much rufous on all the tail feathers. The female is iridescent bronze-green above and dull white below. In good light, the throat iridesces a metallic orange to scarlet. The male is cinnamon-rufous on the upper parts, tail, and lower breast and belly. Rufous Hummingbird: 3¼ (9 cm) inches in length 3 g to 4 g in weight. ![]() The female completely lacks these patches. The iridescent throat patch extends into an elongated “mustache.” In poor light, these patches appear velvety black. The males in good light have an iridescent amethyst purple forehead and throat. This “flame-throated” hummingbird is iridescent green above and grayish white below. The females generally lack these iridescent rosy patches, but may have a few rose feathers on the throat.Ĭosta’s hummingbird: 3¼ inches (9 cm) in length 2¼ g to 3¼ g in weight. In addition, the male's throat and forehead iridesce crimson rose in good light in poor light, these areas appear to be velvety black. These “flame-throated” hummingbirds are iridescent green above and grey below. The females lack dark throat patches.Īnna’s Hummingbird: 4 inches (10 cm) in length 3¼ g to 5 g in weight. The dark throat patch contrasts strongly with a white upper breast, giving a collared effect. The male has a velvet black throat, the bottom border of which iridesces violet in good light. This hummingbird is iridescent green above and gray below. Listen to Broad-billed Hummingbird soundsīlack-chinned Hummingbird: 3¼ inches (9 cm) in length 3 to 4 g in weight. The females are a duller grey-green, but retain the dark forked tail and have red only at the base of the lower mandible. In good light, the males head and breast are metallic blue or blue-green. In poor light the males appear dark with red bills and forked tails. ![]() The iridescent throat patch is called the gorget (pronounced gore-jet).īroad-billed Hummingbird: 4 inches (10 cm) in length 3 g to 4¼ g in weight. All in our region have long, pointed beaks for probing flowers for nectar, saber-like wings for hovering in front of flowers, a generally iridescent bronze or green dorsal surface, and primarily in males, bright, colorful throat and head patches. In our region, they range in length from 2¼ inches to 5 inches (7 to 13 cm), and from 2 g to 10 g in weight. The smallest birds in the world belong to this family. Violeta (Costa’s Hummingbird), chupaflor dorado (Rufous Hummingbird) Hummingbird), chupamirto garganti-negro (Black- chinned Hummingbird),Ĭhupamirto cuello escarlata (Anna’s Hummingbird), chupamirto garganta Spanish names: chuparrosa (hummingbird), chuparrosa matraquita (Broad-billed Hummingbirds Representative Sonoran Desert species:īroad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)īlack-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Rufous Hummingbirds, southbound from nesting grounds in the northwest U.S., may appear in the Sonoran Desert by July, along with lesser numbers of other species, to joust for space around the blooms that follow the summer rains. Our region hosts the greatest variety of hummers in late summer, when several species are on their way south. Black-chinned and Broad-billed Hummingbirds nest in streamside woods in summer, while Anna’s Hummingbird, a recent invader from California, nests in the same areas (and in residential neighborhoods) in winter. Costa’s Hummingbird is the only true desert hummer here, but several others live along the desert's edges. Only a handful of species reach the United States southern Arizona hosts more than a dozen of those. The vast majority, not surprisingly, are found in the tropics, where flowers abound year-round. There are well over three hundred species of hummingbirds, all native to the Americas. Considering the amount of energy that an individual hummingbird needs just to feed itself, it seems remarkable that the female is able to raise the young successfully all alone. The female alone builds the nest, incubates the tiny eggs, and feeds the young. After mating, the male takes no more part in family life. The brightest colors and most ornate patterns among hummingbirds are worn by males, and the purpose is evidently to impress females. ![]()
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