The violet-crowned hummingbird is a hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Region
Southwestern United States and western Mexico
Typical Environment
Violet-crowned hummingbirds occur from southeastern Arizona and adjacent New Mexico south along the Pacific slope of Mexico to at least Oaxaca, with local movements into interior canyons. They favor riparian corridors with sycamore, cottonwood, and willow, as well as adjacent oak-pine foothills. In towns and ranchlands they commonly use gardens and feeders near reliable water. Some U.S.-breeding birds withdraw to Mexico for winter, while many Mexican populations are resident.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking hummingbird is best known for its gleaming violet crown contrasted with clean white underparts and a red bill tipped in black. It frequents riparian woodlands and readily visits backyard feeders in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Nests are tiny cups made of plant down and spider silk placed on horizontal branches. It helps pollinate a variety of tubular flowers, including native sages and ocotillo.
A violet-crowned hummingbird in a nest in Ramsey Canyon, Arizona
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding, defending rich flower patches and feeders from rivals. Nests are tiny cup-shaped structures made of plant fibers and spider silk attached to horizontal branches, often over water or shaded streams. Typical clutch is two eggs; both incubation and brooding are by the female.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of thin, high-pitched chips and tsee notes given during foraging and territorial chases. Males add sharper, dry ticks during display flights; overall the species is more call-oriented than musical.
Plumage
Crisp white underparts with a glossy violet crown, emerald to bronze-green back, and dark bluish tail; lacks a colorful throat patch. Feathers appear sleek and slightly iridescent on the crown and upperparts.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from tubular flowers such as sages, penstemons, ocotillo, and chuparosa. Also hawks and gleans tiny insects and spiders to obtain protein, especially during nesting. Frequently uses hummingbird feeders with dilute sugar solutions when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along riparian edges, canyon woodlands, and semi-open scrub where flowering plants are abundant. In human-dominated areas it forages in gardens and parks with nectar-rich plantings and reliable water.
