Hummingbirds Galore
(click on a photo to enlarge)
It seems like a magic switch was turned on once August arrived. The only resident nesting hummingbirds, Black-chinned, have quadrupled in number due to the presence of juveniles now just as feisty as their parents. But the real surprise is the number and variety of migrants that are now showing up at the feeders. Instead of the usual half-dozen Black-chinned there are now upwards of 20 – 30 birds of seven species, especially in the mornings and before sunset.
The biggest surprise of all has been the appearance of a male Lucifer on August 9 & 11. The Lucifer is primarily a Mexican species that nests most commonly in the Big Bend area of Texas and sporadically in southwestern New Mexico and extreme southeastern Arizona. The most reliable spot for them in southeast Arizona is at Ash Canyon B&B in Hereford where I recently got my “life” Lucifer, so I feel very lucky to have this species visit my feeders!
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer), male
Note the characteristics of the Lucifer: curved bill, long, magenta gorget (male only), short wings and long, narrow pointed tail. There is buff on the sides of the breast as well as in the supercillium.
The first sign of migrants actually began in July when two different Broad-billed Hummingbirds visited the feeders for up to a week at a time. They may have come over from the Coronado National Forest which is nearby. One was an adult male and the other probably a young female.
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris), adult male
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris), immature
Another colorful highlight was the appearance of a male Calliope. A pair passed through in the spring but stayed for less than a day. Lately I’ve seen Calliope on and off for a week or so. The Calliope is our smallest hummingbird and smallest of all breeding birds in the U.S. Besides its small size it has a short bill and tail. The streaky gorget is distinctive for the males of this species. Females and juveniles are similar with a rufous wash on the breast and a stippled throat.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula caliope), male
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula caliope), female/immature
Calliope on the Wing
More of my seven hummingbird species in the next post.
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