Broad-Billed Hummingbird

Arizona boasts some of the most diverse landscape and habitats in the entire United States, and this is reflected in the number of hummingbird species that occur in the state.

In the low desert, Anna's, Costa's, and Black-chinned are most common.  Migration season brings Rufous Hummingbirds with relative frequency.  Move into the Southeastern Sky Islands, and you'll see Blue-throated, Magnificent, Calliope, and Broad-tailed with frequency.  With luck, you'll add Plain-capped Starthoat, Lucifer, Violet-crowned, Berryline, and White-eared.  In this laundry-list of birds, you may even see Allen's during migration, if you are skilled enough to distinguish it from Rufous.

Adding in today's subject, the Broad-billed (Cynanthus latirostris), and there are 14 species that visit Arizona!

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Boyce-Thompson Arboretum, AZ

The Broad-billed is another Hummingbird that can be seen in the low desert backyards, but is most often seen in riparian or canyon habitats.  It is a stunning bird, with a bright orange bill and blue and green iridescent feathers.  

The Broad-billed is generally nondescript in other aspects aside from its appearance.  It is known to be a "mild mannered" hummingbird - much less combative than other hummingbirds.

Broad-billed Hummingbird, near Tucson, AZ