Family: Trochilidae, Hummingbirds view all from this family

Description 4 1/2 -5" (11-13 cm). A very large hummingbird. Male green above, dusky gray below, with bright blue gorget. Blue-black tail with broad white corners on outer tail feathers. Female closely resembles female Magnificent Hummingbird, but has much larger white margins on tail feathers. Both sexes have thin white stripes above and below eyes.

Habitat Streamside growth in canyons.

Nesting 2 white eggs in a large cup nest with green mosses woven into the outside wall, fastened to a vertical plant stalk, occasionally in the shelter of cabins or on electrical wires; usually over or near water.

Range Breeds in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, and western Texas. Winters in Mexico.

Voice   A loud seep, often repeated, uttered in flight as well as when perching.

Discussion Blue-throated Hummingbirds are rapid fliers whose wings make an audible humming sound. They take both nectar and insects. Studies in Mexico show that their nests are always sheltered from rain and sun and located near water, where flowering vegetation abounds. The Blue-throated returns to such a site year after year.