Selasphorus platycercus ORDER: APODIFORMES FAMILY: TROCHILIDAE
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
© Joan Gellatly
A hummingbird of subalpine meadows, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird ranges across the south-central Rockies in summer. It possesses a number of physiological and behavioral adaptations to survive cold nights, including the ability to enter torpor, slowing its heart rate and dropping its body temperature.
Chips and chitters. Displaying male makes buzzing trill with wings. No song used in courtship or territory defense.