Broad-billed Hummingbird

The broad-billed hummingbird is a small-sized hummingbird that resides in the southwestern United States and Mexico.

The broad-billed hummingbird is a small-sized hummingbird at about 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) long. It weighs only 3–4 grams, with the male weighing slightly more than the female. The wingspan of the hummingbird is about 13 cm (5.1 in). It has a long, bright reddish colored bill that has a black tip. The birds are metallic green dorsally with more dull coloring on the crown and forehead. The hummingbird is sexually dimorphic, with the adults appearance varying significantly.

The male is dark green with white undertail-coverts and a blue throat. The adult males tail is blackish-blue and broad. The flight feathers are brownish-gray. The adult female has a pale belly and has a white eyestripe behind her eye. Her tail feathers are white-tipped. The bill of the male is shorter but brighter red. As for size, both the juvenile and adult males have larger wings and tails than the female.

The coloring of the juveniles tends to resemble the adult female. With time, the bill of the juvenile males will redden, and iridescent feathers will appear on its throat. Unlike the females, the juvenile males do not have a white-tipped tail.

The hatchings have a brown body and orange downy feathers and an orange bill. Not much is known about hatchlings, but in captivity, the juvenile birds have been seen to have adult plumage within 6–8 months.