Ash Canyon - September 7 & 11, 2023

 More hummingbirds.  Here are some of the prettier ones.

The Lucifer Sheartail  male has a purple gorget that flares out on the sides, helping with identification.  Seen mostly in Mexico, it comes into the U.S. only in SE Arizona, SW New Mexico and extreme West Texas.  It is highly sought after by serious birders, and in Arizona is reliably found only in Ash Canyon.



 Anna's Hummingbirds (males) have a brilliant red/orange gorget and crown.  More common along the west coast, they are found in Arizona and New Mexico year round.





One of my favorites, the male Broad-billed Hummingbird has a dazzling array of colors all over its body.  The reddish bill is a distinctive feature that helps to ID this species.




Another favorite, the Rufous Hummingbird is one of the smallest species, but is very feisty.  It will defend flowers or feeders by attacking much larger hummingbirds.  It has a large range, going as far north as SE Alaska during breeding season, then migrating south into Mexico for winter.  Males have brilliant orange (rufous or rust colored) over much of their bodies.  These are mostly juveniles or females, hard to tell apart.





 

The Black-chinned male has a thin strip of purple along the edge of its black gorget, but only in the right light.  Otherwise, it may appear to be solid black.  This species is widespread in the western U.S.  and even into Canada.



 Other birds were also present on these two visits to Ash Canyon, as well as a couple butterflies.

Scott's Oriole (F)

Lark Sparrow

House Finch (M)

Blue Grosbeak (M)

Lesser Goldfinch (F)





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