General

Xantus's Hummingbird: Small hummingbird with glittering green upperparts, head, throat, and breast, black face with distinct white stripe behind eye, and cinnamon-brown belly. Squared tail is rufous. Female is duller and lacks black face and green on throat. Feeds on nectar and insects. Direct and hovering flight with very rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Xantus's Hummingbird: Rare to accidental in southern half of the peninsula of Baja California. Normally found in Mexico (Purissima south to San Jose del Cabo). Has been documented in southern California and British Columbia. Preferred habitats include arid to semiarid scrub, open brushy forests, and gardens.

Breeding and Nesting

Xantus's Hummingbird: Two dull white eggs are laid in a nest made of seeds, plant down, and dried flower heads, covered with lichens, and built from 4 to 12 feet above ground in a tree. Incubation ranges from 14 to 16 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Xantus's Hummingbird: Eats nectar and insects, forages low to mid-level.

Vocalization

Xantus's Hummingbird: Song is a low clear "tink, tink, tink", resembling a small bell. The call is "chi-tiik."

Similar Species

Xantus's Hummingbird: White-eared Hummingbird has dark green upperparts, black ear patch, and no rufous in tail, purple chin and crown, and white belly; female has white throat with streaks and green dots, and pale green underparts.