General

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Large hummingbird with bronze-green upperparts, bronze-brown rump, brilliant purple-blue throat, and gray underparts. Tail is dark, occasionally washed with blue-black, and has white corners. Female and juvenile do not show blue on throat. Feeds on nectar and insects. Direct and hovering flight with very rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Limited distribution. Breeds in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, and western Texas to southern Mexico. Northern birds winter in the southern part of their range. Preferred habitats include pine-oak forests, usually near water; comes down to lower elevations during winter months.

Breeding and Nesting

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Two white eggs are laid in a large cup nest with green mosses woven into the outside wall and fastened to a vertical plant stalk or utility wire, usually over or near water. Incubation ranges from 17 to 18 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Feeds on nectar and small arthropods, searching around flowers and leaves for various insects, spiders, and plant lice; prefers hunting in honeysuckle, gilia, and agave. Heavy diet of insects allows it to survive and thrive in areas where more nectar dependent species cannot.

Readily Eats

Sugar Water

Vocalization

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Song is a loud "seep", often repeated and uttered in flight or while perching.

Similar Species

Blue-throated Mountain-gem: Male is unmistakable. Female is similar to female Rivoli's Hummingbird, but has large white outer corners to tail.