Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Hummingbird Species Hummingbird Habitat Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird Costa's Hummingbird Magnificent Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Sparkling Violeteat Types of Birds

The Broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a neotropical migrant found in the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain states during breeding season.

Compared to other hummingbirds, their broader tails serve as a field identification mark.

The red throat and white chin on the male in the picture are also typical field identification marks. Females have green feather on the back, slightly spotted throat and some rufus feathers on the side.

They are conditioned to live in alpine environments. A warming trend in the Rocky Mountain region suggests that its range could extend as far north as southern Canada.

© 2004-2007. Patricia A. Michaels.