Description
Size: 3.75”
Plumage/Description: Males have a green back and a dark looking head and throat. In good light you can see a violet band of color at the base of its black throat feathers. There is a bold contrast between the dark throat and white breast feathers. Females have a green back, and the throat, breast and belly are a pale ash color. Both sexes have a long, slightly down-curved bill.
Habitat: Widely distributed in a variety of habitats including residential areas, riparian areas, oak/chaparral, pinyon/juniper and even into ponderosa pine habitats.
Time of year: Spring and summer
Relative Abundance: Common.
Behavior: Nectar and insect eater. Frequents hummingbird feeders. Like other hummingbird species has the ability to hover. Aggressive and territorial at feeders.
Diet: Nectar, sugar water, insects, spiders
Similar species: Other hummingbird species that occur in this area (Anna’s, Broad-tailed, etc.)
Best Sites: Residential settings where there are hummingbird feeders. Acker Park, Pioneer Park, Lynx Lake Restaurant.