Broad-tailed Hummingbird

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Broad-tailed Hummingbird

The broad-tailed hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus, is a medium-sized hummingbird, nearly four inches in length. Male and female both have iridescent green backs and crowns and a white breast. The male has a gourget (throat patch) that shines with a brilliant red iridescence. The female is much duller with rust-colored, mottled flanks and underside. Female's tail feathers are tipped with a band of white. In flight the wings produce a distinct trilling noise specific to this species.

The summer range of the broad-tailed hummingbird extends across mountain forests and meadows throughout the western United States and central Mexico. At summer's end they migrate and may overwinter as far south as Guatemala.

Nests are small cup of plant fibers woven together and bound to a branch with collected spider webs. The female lays two plain white eggs, that she alone will incubate for 16 days. Young broad-tailed hummingbirds fledge (leave the nest) about 23 days after hatching.

Aside from the typical hummingbird diet of nectar and insects found at flower blossoms, the broad-tailed hummingbird will also actively hunt insects in flight and on foliage.

References

• BirdLife International (2004). [Selasphorus platycercus]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

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