A male Broad-billed Hummingbird showed his iridescent green and blue feathers and his striking red bill at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum this week.
Broad-billed Hummingbird
For contrast, here’s a female Broad-billed Hummingbird … or maybe an immature Broad-billed … from July 2013. This hummingbird was in the eucalyptus tree at the pathway entrance to the Arboretum’s Demonstration Garden.
A Broad-billed Hummingbird male was also working the Mexican Honeysuckle in the Hummingbird Garden and along the path. It can be difficult to see the beautiful, iridescent colors on the Broad-billed Hummingbird.
In some light, the Broad-billed Hummingbird just looks very dark.
We have often seen a male Broad-billed Hummingbird in the heavy shade near the feeders and the bench in the Hummingbird Garden. You may also hear him making chittering sounds and chasing off other hummers in defense of his territory.
A male Costa’s Hummingbird was also feeding from the Hummingbird Garden flower beds on the day we were there.
If you make it out to the Arboretum soon, keep an eye on the blooming aloes on the path that slopes down from the entrance. We saw at least one Anna’s Hummingbird feeding from the flowers quite close to the path.
The flowers are looking fantastic at the Arboretum this early March and the birds, butterflies, and bees are very active.
Back to home.