Selasphorus
platycercus
(Broad-tailed
Hummingbird)
Physical
Description:
4-4 1/2" (10-11). Males
have metallic green crown
and back; metallic rose
throat; white belly and breast; green sides; tail wide and rounded, mostly black
with inconspicuous red-brown on outer webs of feathers. Female
is green above, dull whitish below, with warm buff-tinged sides; green central
tail feathers; outer tail feathers rust-colored at base, black in middle, and
white on outer tips; chin and throat marked with dark spots.
Similar Species- Anna's Hummingbird, male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Song:
Calls
a sharp chip. The sound of adult male wings is a unique, loud, musical trilling.
Distribution:
Breeds
from north-central Idaho, northern Utah, and portions of Wyoming, south to southeastern
California, portions of Mexico and Guatemala, and western Texas. Winters in
highlands of northern Mexico south to Guatemala.
Habitat:
Found in open woodlands (especially pinyon/juniper
and conifer/aspen associations), brushy hillsides, and montane scrub and thickets.
During winter and in migration, also found in open, lowland situations where
flowering shrubs are present. May move to higher elevations after breeding.
Diet:
Consumes nectar, small insects,
and spiders.
Ecology:
Usually nests 1-4 m above ground,
on low, horizontal branch in tree. Often nests above water. Forages in flowers
and foliage. In Arizona study, males defended 2040 m2 (average) breeding territory.
In Colorado study, males were observed displaying close to one another in apparent
lek. In some areas, species may compete with Rufous Hummingbird for same food
resources.
2 eggs for 16-17 days.
Young are tended by female, and fledge in 21-26 days (18 days
has been reported). Females are long-lived and show strong fidelity to breeding
site.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNUC51010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5,NTMB |
| National Rank: | N5B |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.