Broad-tailed Hummingbird

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus, is a medium-sized avian jewel of the highlands, stretching its range from the western reaches of the United States and Canada down to the verdant landscapes of Mexico and Guatemala. With a length of 4 inches and a wingspan of 5.25 inches, these birds are a marvel of iridescence, sporting a shimmering green back and a rounded black tail that extends beyond their wingtips. The males are slightly lighter than the females, who tip the scales at around 3.6 grams.

Identification Tips

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in this species, with males flaunting a striking rose-red gorget—a throat patch that catches the light and the eyes of onlookers. Both sexes possess a distinctive white eye ring, which aids in their identification. Females are discernible by their paler hues, cinnamon-colored flanks, and spotted cheeks, which the males lack.

Habitat

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird frequents the understory and the shelter of tree canopies in pine and oak woodlands. It is also known to forage in open areas adorned with flowers or in grasslands dotted with trees and shrubs. Its preferred breeding grounds are the subalpine meadows, foothills, and montane valleys, often amidst aspen or spruce.

Distribution

During the summer months, these hummingbirds can be found from Guatemala to Mexico, and across the western United States and Canada. In the winter, they retreat to the warmer climes of southern Mexico and Guatemala.

Behaviour

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a partial migrant, with some populations remaining sedentary in southern Mexico and Guatemala. Males typically precede females in arriving at breeding territories. These birds are known for their territoriality, with males defending their space with vigor, especially during the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird's vocal repertoire includes a sharp "cheet" call, often repeated in a rapid sequence. Their wing beats also serve as a communication tool, producing a "wing hum" audible to both sexes. Males, during courtship displays, generate a distinctive "wing trill" with their primary feathers, a buzzing sound that can carry impressive distances.

Breeding

Breeding sites for the Broad-tailed Hummingbird span from central Montana to Guatemala. The species exhibits a promiscuous mating system, with males performing spectacular aerial displays, complete with wing trills, to woo females.

Nest Construction

Females show remarkable site fidelity, with 70% returning to previous nesting sites. They construct their nests unaided by males, using spider webs to adhere the cup-shaped structure to tree branches and camouflaging it with lichen, moss, and other plant materials.

Brooding

The female lays two white eggs and incubates them alone for about 16 to 19 days. As the chicks grow, the nest cup is expanded to accommodate their increasing size. The chicks are born altricial and take approximately 10 to 12 days to feather. Post-fledging, the female remains with the young for several weeks.

Diet and Feeding

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds primarily feed on insects and the nectar of "hummingbird-flowered" plants, which are characterized by high nectar production and red, tubular corollas.

Conservation status

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is currently listed as "Least Concern," indicating a stable population and wide distribution. However, there has been a noted decline in population numbers, with a 52% decrease reported between 1966 and 2015. Despite this, the species has shown adaptability to human-altered habitats.