Return to Main Page   Dakota Birder Blog    

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Cynanthus latirostris

Length: 4 inches Wingspan: 5.75 inches Seasonality: Non-resident in South Dakota
ID Keys: Long bill with broad reddish-orange bill, dark bluish-black tail with notch, blue-green body (male)

Broad-billed Hummingbird - Cyanthus latirostrisThe Broad-billed Hummingbird is a very common bird of lower to medium elevations in southern Arizona during the summer breeding season, despite that being the far northern reaches of its normal range.  The primary range for the species also includes a large swath of western Mexico.  The brilliantly colored males are recognizable from their (relatively) broad, orangish-red bill, a dark blue gorget, and a brilliant bluish-green body.  Males can often be seen courting females,by first approaching, hovering directly in front of the female, and then performing u-shaped courtship flights as the female observes.  Males can also be quite territorial, resting on a high perch over a "claimed" territory and chasing away any intruders.

Habitat:

Broad-billed Hummingbirds can be found in a variety of semi-open habitats, usually at lower to moderate elevations in their Arizona range.  This may include riparian areas, thickets of mesquite and other brush with adjacent open areas, or open woodlands.

Diet:

Feeds as do other hummingbirds, favoring tubular flowers that are red or orange in color. They will also consume many tiny insects. 

Nesting:

Nest is a small cup built of bits of dried vegetation and spider webs, and is typically built between 4 and 10 feet from the ground. 

Song / Call

Males have a series of short, rattling chip notes given when courting. One call of a Broad-billed Hummingbird is a very fast, rattling che-dit, generally given multiple times.

Migration:

 Birds in Arizona and New Mexico are most often found in the summer breeding season.  Fewer are around in the fall and winter months, but some will stay all winter.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click to access an interactive eBird map of Broad-billed Hummingbird sightings

Similar Species:

There are many hummingbird species that could potentially be found within the range of the Broad-billed Hummingbird. Here are a couple of species that are perhaps most likely to intersect in range with Broad-billed Hummingbirds, and potentially cause identification issues.

Rivoli's Hummingbird 10 - Eugenes fulgens Rivoli's Hummingbird 3 - Eugenes fulgens White-eared Hummingbird - Hylocharis leucotis
Rivoli's Hummingbird (female) Rivoli's Hummingbird White-eared Hummingbird

Feeders:

Will attend hummingbird feeders for nectar.

Conservation Status:

Systematic surveys show stable or modestly increasing populations in recent decades. They are found across a very broad geographic area, are common in parts of that range, and overall populations are strong. The IUCN considers the Broad-billed Hummingbird to be a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information:

Photo Information:

April 22nd, 2014 - Tucson, Arizona - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos:

Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Broad-billed Hummingbird photos.

Audio File Credits:

Click below for a higher-resolution map
Broad-billed Hummingbird - Range Map
South Dakota Status: Non-resident in South Dakota

Additional Broad-billed Hummingbird Photos
 Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos
Broad-billed Hummingbird 1 - Cynanthus latirostris
Broad-billed Hummingbird 2 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 3 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 4 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 5 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 6 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 7 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 8 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 9 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 10 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 11 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 12 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 13 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 14 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 15 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 16 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 17 - Cynanthus latirostrisBroad-billed Hummingbird 18 - Cynanthus latirostris