Xantus's Hummingbird

In the sun-dappled arid woodlands of the Baja California Peninsula, one may chance upon the Xantus's hummingbird, a jewel of the avian world. This diminutive creature, measuring a mere 8.5 to 9.5 cm in length, flits with a grace that belies its small stature. The males, slightly heavier at 3.5 grams compared to the females' 3.4 grams, boast a striking red bill tipped with black, while the females display a more subdued coloration with a pinkish base. The male's plumage is a tapestry of golden green to emerald, adorned with a black forehead and chin, and a white stripe behind the eye. Their underparts are a warm cinnamon, complemented by a rufous chestnut tail. Females, on the other hand, wear a more modest attire of golden green with a buffy stripe behind the eye and cinnamon underparts.

Identification Tips

To identify the Xantus's hummingbird, look for the male's iridescent emerald green throat and the distinctive black and white facial markings. The female can be recognized by her blackish-brown face with a pale buffy stripe and the golden green of her tail feathers. Both sexes share the characteristic straight bill, a useful feature for differentiation from other species.

Habitat

The Xantus's hummingbird is a denizen of the arid woodlands, favoring scrub, oak, and pine-oak forests. It thrives at elevations ranging from 150 to 1,500 meters, but is also known to frequent coastal deserts, gardens, and areas where feeders are present.

Distribution

Endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, this species' range extends from central Baja California to the southern tip. Rare vagrant sightings have occurred as far north as California and even British Columbia.

Behaviour

The movement patterns of the Xantus's hummingbird are not fully understood, but it is known to breed in montane forests and may descend to sea level post-nesting. There is evidence of southward movement from the northern part of its range and local migrations in response to flowering plants.

Song & calls

The male's song is a quiet, gurgling warble, interspersed with rattles and high squeaky notes, often sung from the seclusion of a bush. Calls include a low rattle, tinny chips, and metallic notes, particularly during aggressive chases.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from July to October in the north and February to April in the south. The female constructs a delicate cup-shaped nest from plant fibers and spiderweb, adorned with lichen and bark, typically suspended above ground or water. She incubates two eggs for about 15 to 16 days, with fledging occurring roughly 22 days post-hatch.

Diet and Feeding

The Xantus's hummingbird is an opportunistic feeder, drawing nectar from a diverse array of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees. It is a key pollinator of the madrone tree and supplements its diet with small insects caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Xantus's hummingbird as Least Concern. With an estimated population of 20,000 to 50,000 mature individuals, the species is considered stable, though its limited range warrants further study to understand the impact of human activities.