Diet

• Primarily nectar from flowering trees, shrubs, vines, cacti, and herbaceous plants.

• Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, especially during the breeding season.

• Feeds by hovering at flowers and frequently captures tiny flying insects in mid-air.

Range

• Found from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south through western and central Mexico.

• In Mexico, it is widespread from Sonora south through the Pacific slope and interior highlands to Oaxaca.

• Occurs locally in Guerrero, including higher elevations near the Zihuatanejo region, although it is less common there than the Golden-crowned and Turquoise-crowned Hummingbirds.

• Inhabits thorn scrub, tropical dry forests, woodland edges, canyons, riparian woodlands, gardens, and semi-open habitats, generally from sea level to about 2,000 m.

• Mostly a year-round resident, with some local seasonal movements.

Male / Female

• Male: Brilliant metallic blue throat, bright green body, chestnut wings, and a conspicuous bright red bill with a black tip.

• Female: Green upperparts with pale gray underparts, a whitish throat, buffy flanks, and a mostly dark bill with a reddish base to the lower mandible.

• The sexes are readily distinguished by the male's vivid blue throat and colourful bill.

Size

• Length: 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in)

• Wingspan: 11–13 cm (4.3–5.1 in)

• Weight: 3–4 g