Undaunted Courage

A brave and daring Broad-tailed male hummingbird set a new record at Rudeen Ranch, arriving the evening of April 8. J98804 was banded as an adult, June 1, during the 2015 Hummingbird Roundup.

The male Broad-tailed is easy to identify with his brilliant emerald back and red gorget (throat).  However, the easiest identifier is the distinctive whistling noise he makes when he flies. This sound is created by the pointed end of his P10, or outside primary (wing) feather.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds are recognized as early migrants and they are sometimes seen in the mountains when there is snow on the ground. These birds will feed on insects and spiders and will also use the tree sap from sapsucker holes if no flower nectar is available.