Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 4.3–4.7 in
11–12 cm - Wingspan
- 7.5 in
19 cm - Weight
- 0.2–0.3 oz
6–8 g
Other Names
- Oiseau-mouche de clémence, Colibri à gorge bleue (French)
- Chupamirto garganta azul, Chupaflor gorjiazul, Colibrí garganta azul, Colibri-serrano gorjiazul (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- Unlike most North American hummingbirds, the Blue-throated Hummingbird does not have an aerial display. Instead, the male uses several different vocalizations to defend its territory and attract mates.
- The female Blue-throated Hummingbird gives a special call that appears to indicate that she is ready to mate. She makes a series of short flights that appear to be a display to the male before copulation.
- As might be expected for the largest North American hummingbird species, the Blue-throated Hummingbird beats its wings about half as fast as the smaller species. Still, it manages to beat them 23 times a second while hovering.
- The Blue-throated Hummingbird is about three times heavier than the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Habitat
Open Woodland
Open woodland, second growth and shrubby areas, primarily in pine-oak and deciduous woodland, sometimes nesting under bridges, in caves or on buildings, in migration also visiting flowers in open situations and gardens.
Food
Nectar
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 1–2 eggs
Nest Placement
Shrub
Behavior
Hovering
Conservation
Least Concern
Given its scarcity and the specificity of its habitat requirements, the Blue-throated Hummingbird is vulnerable to habitat loss in United States portion of its range. In Mexico, logging of forest habitat also poses a threat.
Credits
1) Chai, P., and D. Millard. 1997. Flight size constraints: hovering performance of large hummingbirds under maximal loading. Journal of Experimental Biology 200: 2757-2763.
2) Ficken, M. S., K. M. Rusch, S. J. Taylor, and D. R. Powers. 2002. Reproductive behavior and communication in Blue-throated Hummingbirds. Wilson Bull. 114: 197-209.
3) Williamson, S. L. 2000. Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae). In The Birds of North America, No. 531 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.