The broad-billed hummingbird is a small-sized hummingbird that resides in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Males and females have different features. The juveniles resemble the female adult more than the male adult. The broad-billed hummingbird is a bright coloured bird with a broad and bright red bill. The bird is also known for its other common names – the Colibrí Pico Ancho in Spanish and Colibri circé in French. It is more active during the day and less active during the night.
Region
Southwestern North America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in western and central Mexico and seasonally into the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and New Mexico, with occasional strays farther north. Prefers riparian corridors, desert canyons, and thorn-scrub with abundant flowering plants. Also uses suburban gardens and parks where hummingbird feeders and nectar-rich ornamentals are present. Nests are often placed low to mid-height in shrubs or small trees, frequently near water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The broad-billed hummingbird is a small, vividly colored hummingbird best known for its bright red bill with a black tip. Males flash a shimmering emerald body and a sapphire-blue throat, while females are grayer with a distinct white eye stripe. It frequently visits gardens and feeders, hovering with rapid wingbeats and aggressively defending nectar sources. Like many hummingbirds, it can enter torpor on cool nights to conserve energy.
C. latirostris visiting a sugar-water feeder
C. latirostris feeding on nectar from a flower in Arizona
The cinnamon hummingbird (above) creates competition with the broad-billed hummingbird, making C. latirostris forage from lower quality food sources.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Males defend small feeding territories and perform shuttle displays during courtship. Pair bonds are brief; the female alone builds the tiny cup nest of plant down bound with spider silk and raises the young. Typical clutch is two white eggs, and nests may be placed over or near streams for cooler microclimates.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, sharp chips and rapid twitters given during foraging and territorial chases. Males add buzzy, accelerated sequences during display flights, and wingbeats produce a distinct hum at close range.
