An uncommon but reliable species within its range, the blue-throated hummingbird is exceptionally large and heavy for a hummingbird, with an aggressive personality to match. Though its plumage can seem relatively dull, when seen in good light a male's blue throat is unmistakable.

Common Name: Blue-Throated Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Lampornis clemenciae

Scientific Family: Trochilidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Needle-thin, very slightly decurved (difficult to see curvature), black

• Size: 4.75-5.5 inches long with 7-inch wingspan, broad, square tail, small head
• Colors: Blue, white, gray, green, black, bronze, iridescent, buff
• Markings: Dimorphic species. Males have a sky blue gorget that can appear dull or dark in the shade and may show metallic hues in bright sunlight. The face is gray-green with a thick white line behind the eye and a thinner white malar stripe. The upperparts are green or greenish-bronze, and the underparts are gray with minor green mottling on the flanks. The wings are black, and the tail is blue-black with broad white tips on the outer feathers that can seem like a fully white tip when the tail is closed. The undertail coverts are gray with paler edges. Females have similar markings but lack the blue throat, instead showing a pale gray or whitish throat and paler gray underparts. The female's tail is generally more black than blue-black, but still has the white tips, and the female's bill is slightly longer than the male's. Some females may show minor blue feathers on the throat.
  
  Juveniles are similar to adults but with less clear facial markings and pale buff edging on the upperpart feathers. Young males have less extensive blue on the throat.

Foods: Nectar, insects (See: Nectivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These hummingbirds prefer shady, wooded canyons and riparian areas, particularly where maple and sycamore trees are abundant and shrubby cover is prevalent. These birds are found year-round in central Mexico, and during the summer their breeding season extends as far north as the Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains of southern Arizona, as well as southwestern New Mexico. A few birds may overwinter in those regions, and vagrant sightings are regularly recorded in summer and fall outside the typical range, often in Texas and Colorado.

Vocalizations:

Because these hummingbirds often like to stay in dense cover, they may be heard long before they are seen. The loud, piercing "peep" "seep" or "tseep" note may be repeated singly or in a short sequence, and has a very high pitch. Males will repeatedly call to females as part of courtship.

Behavior:

These are solitary birds and can be aggressive and dominating at feeders and in favored feeding areas, often chasing other birds away and even occasionally mobbing hawks, owls or other large birds. They tend to forage in low- to mid-levels in trees, and occasionally fan or flick their tails when hovering.

Reproduction:

Blue-throated hummingbirds do not use elaborate courtship displays and dives, but males will call to females and may hover and fan their tails to attract attention. After mating, the males have no further responsibilities toward nest-building or rearing chicks. Instead, the female builds a steep cup-shaped nest of plant down, moss and spider silk, with extra moss applied to the exterior for camouflage. The nest is typically positioned up to 30 feet above the ground, generally under cover such as under a bridge, rock overhang, building eaves or just ferns or large leaves for protection.

Each brood will have 1-2 plain white eggs, and these birds may raise up to three broods each year. The female parent incubates the eggs for 17-18 days, and the altricial young birds stay in the nest under the female's care for 25-30 days after hatching.

Blue-throated hummingbirds have been recorded as hybridizing with a variety of different hummingbird species, including magnificent, black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's hummingbirds.

Attracting Blue-Throated Hummingbirds:

These hummers come to feeders quickly and easily if red parts are visible, and they will also investigate other red color sources in a garden, backyard or campground. Planting mountain flowers as a food source can also attract these birds, particularly different southern species of sage, columbine and agave.

Conservation:

While these hummingbirds are not considered threatened or endangered, they are subject to habitat loss that can impact their overall populations, especially from development and logging operations. Because they are relatively uncommon within their range, protecting that habitat is essential to ensure their stability.

Similar Birds:

• Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)
• White-Eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis)
• Broad-Billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)

Photo – Blue-Throated Hummingbird – Male © Patty McGann
Photo – Blue-Throated Hummingbird – Female © ALAN SCHMIERER
Photo – Blue-Throated Hummingbird – Male in Flight © Kent Williams