Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Blue-throated Hummingbird -- Lampornis clemenciae

RANGE: Breeds in southeastern Arizona in the Huachuca and Chiricahua Mountains, and from western Texas south to Oaxaca. Casual north to Colorado. Winters in Mexico, but occurs casually at Arizona feeders.

STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon.

HABITAT: Inhabits lush vegetation along wooded streamsides in mountain canyons. In Texas, found among baldcypress, pines, oaks, and bigtooth maples from 4,900 to 7,500 feet in elevation.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Nest sites that are sheltered from rain and sunlight, near an abundance of flowers for feeding, and within a few feet of a stream.

NEST: Builds nest in sites that are completely covered from above, such as in vertical-walled canyons, rock overhangs, on plant stalks, under eaves of buildings, bridges, water towers, and inside buildings. May use the same nest site for several years, adding to the nest each time it is used.

FOOD: Forages on drier canyon slopes to feed on nectar of agave and honeysuckle flowers; also frequents flower gardens. Also eats flies, bugs, small beetles, wasps, spiders, daddy-longlegs, and pollen.

REFERENCES: Cottam and Knappen 1939, Johnsgard 1983b, Oberholser 1974a, Terres 1980, Terrill in Farrand 1983b.

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