Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
ExploreBirds
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
selasphorus platycercus
The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is a vibrant jewel of the high-altitude mountain meadows in western North America. Renowned for the distinct, metallic trilling sound produced by the wings of breeding males, this energetic bird brings alpine and subalpine zones to life with its rapid aerial maneuvers. During the breeding season, they can be seen darting between wildflowers or nesting in pine and fir forests, serving as critical pollinators for their high-elevation ecosystems. As long-distance migratory birds, they travel thousands of miles between their northern nesting grounds and wintering habitats in Mexico, relying on an intense feeding regimen to fuel their exceptionally high metabolic rates.
Habitat: Typically found in high-elevation montane forests, open woodlands, and subalpine meadows dominated by pine, fir, and spruce trees.
Appearance
This medium-sized hummingbird has a compact, slender build with a metallic bronze-green back and crown, a clean white breast, and green-washed flanks. Adult males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant rose-magenta gorget (throat patch) and a rounded tail. Females and juveniles lack the iridescent throat, featuring a white throat speckled with grey or bronze and rusty-rufous edges on their outer tail feathers. They typically measure about 9 to 10 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of approximately 13 centimeters.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderApodiformesFamilyTrochilidaeGenusSelasphorus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Because they nest at freezing high altitudes, females select nesting spots directly beneath sheltering branches that act as heat-trapping blankets.
The metallic wing whistle of the male is so loud and distinct that humans can often easily identify their presence by sound alone.
Their hearts can beat over 1,200 times per minute when actively flying and foraging in alpine meadows.
Special abilities
Ability
Wing Trilling
Males possess specialized flight feathers that vibrate in the wind, producing a loud, high-pitched metallic whistle to signal territorial ownership.
Ability
Nocturnal Torpor
To survive freezing mountain nights, they can drop their body temperature to near-ambient levels and slow their metabolic rate by up to 90 percent.
Ability
Hovering Flight
With wingbeat rates of up to 50 times per second, they can hover in mid-air, fly backwards, and even fly upside down with incredible precision.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 9+ cm
- Wingspan
- 12+ cm
- Weight
- 0.003+ kg
- Lifespan
- 3+ years
- Top Speed
- 48 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2+
- Incubation
- 16+ days
- Migration Distance
- 3000 km
Diet & Feeding
Relies primarily on energy-rich flower nectar supplemented by small insects and spiders to provide essential protein.
Age differences: Chicks are fed a protein-dense slurry of regurgitated insects and nectar by their mother to support rapid growth.
Primary Foods
- Flower nectar
- Small flies
- Aphids
- Spiders
- Tree sap
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
mutualism
Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata
Provides critical pollination services while extracting energy-rich nectar from the plant's tubular blooms.
mutualism
Red-naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Frequently feeds on tree sap from wells maintained by sapsuckers, particularly in early spring before flowers bloom.
eaten by
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
A swift aerial predator that actively hunts adult hummingbirds in forest margins.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Broad-Tailed Hummingbird?
The easiest way to identify Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Broad-Tailed Hummingbird?
9+ cm
What is Broad-Tailed Hummingbird's wingspan?
12+ cm
How much does Broad-Tailed Hummingbird weigh?
0.003+ kg
How long does Broad-Tailed Hummingbird live?
3+ years
How fast can Broad-Tailed Hummingbird move?
48 km/h
What does Broad-Tailed Hummingbird eat?
Relies primarily on energy-rich flower nectar supplemented by small insects and spiders to provide essential protein.
Where is Broad-Tailed Hummingbird usually found?
Typically found in high-elevation montane forests, open woodlands, and subalpine meadows dominated by pine, fir, and spruce trees.
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park30 sightings12 species
New Mexico, US
Barrio De Analco Historic District
You might spot Tree Cholla, Colorado Pinyon, and House Finch.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
You might spot Black-Billed Magpie, Fireweed, and Common Cowparsnip.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater
You might spot Elk, Mule Deer, and Black-Billed Magpie.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Rocky Mountain National Park Utility Area Historic District
You might spot Elk, Mule Deer, and Black-Billed Magpie.
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Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
St. Elmo
You might spot Broad-Tailed Hummingbird.
View guide →
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