Broad-Tailed Hummingbird: The Jewel of Mountain Meadows
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a dazzling little bird that brings life and sparkle to mountain landscapes across North America. Known for its shimmering feathers and the distinctive trilling sound produced by its wings, this hummingbird is a true marvel of nature. Whether hovering gracefully over wildflowers or darting through alpine air, it captures the essence of beauty, speed, and resilience.
Fun Facts
- Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds display an iridescent rose-red throat patch called a gorget that flashes brilliantly in sunlight.
- Their wings produce a unique metallic trill during flight—like a tiny, flying musical instrument!
- They breed at higher elevations than many hummingbirds, often in cool mountain environments.
- These birds are important pollinators, helping many wildflowers reproduce.
- They can enter a state called torpor, lowering their body temperature to survive cold nights.
Scientific Information
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus platycercus
- Family: Trochilidae
- Class: Aves
- Order: Apodiformes
- Length: 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 inches)
- Wingspan: About 13 cm (5.1 inches)
- Weight: 3–4.5 grams
- Habitat: Mountain meadows, forests, and open woodlands
Habits & Behavior
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is highly energetic and constantly on the move. It feeds primarily on nectar from flowers, using its long, specialized tongue to extract sweet energy. It also consumes small insects and spiders for protein.
During the breeding season, males perform aerial displays to attract females, diving and producing their signature wing trill. They are also quite territorial, often defending feeding areas aggressively from other hummingbirds.
These birds migrate seasonally, traveling from their breeding grounds in the western United States and Canada to warmer regions like Mexico for the winter. Despite their tiny size, their migration journeys are impressive and demanding.
At night or during cold conditions, they conserve energy through torpor, slowing their metabolism dramatically—a remarkable adaptation for survival in cooler climates.
