Maintaining and Improving 

Habitat for 

Hummingbirds 

in Arizona 

and 

New Mexico

— A Land 

Manager’s 

Guide —

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest 

Service FS-1039c July 2017
2—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Hummingbird Basics

About This Guide

Hummingbirds play an important role in the 

food web by pollinating a variety of flowering 

plants, some of which are specifically adapted 

to pollination by hummingbirds. Hummingbird 

numbers are declining, like those of other 

pollinators, due to habitat loss, changes in the 

distribution and abundance of nectar plants 

(which are affected by climate change), the 

spread of invasive plants, and pesticide use. 

This guide is intended to help you provide and 

improve habitat for hummingbirds and other 

pollinators in Arizona and New Mexico. While 

hummingbirds, like all birds, have the basic 

habitat needs of food, water, shelter, and space, 

this guide is focused on providing food—the plants that provide nectar 

for hummingbirds. Because climate, geology, and vegetation vary widely in 

different areas, specific recommendations are presented for each ecoregion 

in Arizona and New Mexico. (See the Ecoregions in Arizona and New Mexico

section at the end of this guide.)

This guide also provides brief descriptions of hummingbird species that visit 

the Southwest, as well as some basic information about hummingbird habitat 

needs.

Whether you’re involved in managing public or private lands, large acreages, 

or small areas, you can make them attractive to our native hummingbirds. 

Even long, narrow pieces of habitat—like utility corridors, field edges, and 

roadsides—can provide important connections among larger habitat areas. 

I

Anna’s Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

In general, the hummingbird species of Arizona and New Mexico are 

migratory. In Arizona, as many as 11 different species may be seen throughout the warmer months as they migrate to the State for breeding and nesting 

purposes. New Mexico has at least 6 species that breed and nest locally. 

Additional migrating hummingbirds can be seen in these two States during 

spring migration—from late March to early April—or the fall migration—

from September to early October. For hummingbird species to thrive, they 

need to find suitable habitat along their migration routes, as well as in their 

I
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—3

Water

Food

Spring in Coconino National Forest

Courtesy of Darryl Atchison, Forest Service

breeding, nesting, and wintering areas. Even small patches of habitat along 

their migratory path can be critical to the birds by providing places for rest 

and food to fuel their journey. 

Hummingbirds feed by day on nectar from 

flowers, including annuals, perennials, trees, 

shrubs, and 

vines. Native 

nectar plants are 

listed in the table 

near the end of 

this guide. 

Hummingbirds 

feed while 

hovering or, 

if possible, while 

perched. They also 

eat insects, such 

as mosquitoes and 

gnats, and will consume tree sap when it is 

available. They obtain tree sap from sap wells 

drilled in trees by sapsuckers and other holedrilling birds.

Hummingbirds get adequate water from the 

nectar and insects they consume. They are, 

however, attracted to running 

water, such as fountains, sprinklers, 

birdbaths with a mister, or waterfalls. Because insect populations 

are typically higher near ponds, 

streams, and wetland areas, these 

areas are important food sources 

for hummingbirds.

Feeding at sap well

Courtesy of Bob Armstrong

(www.naturebob.com)

Western red columbine 

(Aquilegia elegantula)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com) 

Scarlet gilia 

(Ipomopsis aggregata)

Photo by V.E. Grant, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service 

PLANTS Database
4—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)I

RANGE—Black-chinned Hummingbirds occur in all five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in Arizona and New Mexico—BCRs 16, 18, 33, 34, and 

35 (see the Bird Conservation Regions in Arizona and New Mexico section below). 

They are typically found in lowlands and foothills up to 7,700 feet in elevation 

and inhabit a wide variety of habitats, including canyons and gulches, riparian 

corridors, open woodlands, oak and scrub areas, 

and urban settings. Migration dates are earlier 

for the low deserts of Arizona and later for the 

high desert areas of both States. They typically 

begin to arrive in Arizona by late February and 

in New Mexico by April. Southbound departure 

occurs in both States by mid-September.

FOOD—Black-chinned Hummingbirds feed 

on nectar from flowers, small insects and 

spiders, and sugar water at feeders. These 

hummingbirds have been documented feeding 

at a variety of nectar-producing plants including 

beardtongue, century-plants, desert-honeysuckle, 

larkspur, paintbrush, sage, skyrockets, thistle, 

and vines.

NESTING—Nesting habitat includes canyons or floodplain riparian communities. Nests are located in a variety of plant, tree, or shrub species. In urban 

areas, this species prefers settings with 

tall trees and many flowering shrubs and 

vines. Nesting begins in mid- to lateApril in southern New Mexico, with a 

second nesting period in mid-July. Nests 

are found anywhere from 3 to 23 feet 

above the ground.

APPEARANCE—While hovering, 

Black-chinned Hummingbirds pump 

their tails almost constantly. The adult Black-chinned Hummingbird—male

Courtesy of Chuck Roberts

(www.flickr.com/photos/colorob/)

Subalpine larkspur 

(Delphinium barbeyi)

Photo ©Al Schneider

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)

 Hummingbird Species CommonI

in Arizona and New Mexico
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—5

male is dull green to emerald green above, 

pale gray to whitish below, becoming dull 

green on the sides. It has a velvety black 

gorget (distinctively colored band or patch 

on the throat) with an iridescent purple 

band below; the purple band can look 

black in poor light. White on the breast 

extends around the sides of the neck, 

contrasting strongly with the all-dark 

head. The central two tail feathers are 

green; the others are black, often with a 

purplish sheen.

The adult female is dull green to golden above and pale gray below. The sides 

are gray-green and the throat can be unmarked or have dusky streaking or 

spotting in the center of the gorget. The tail is greenish or blackish, with the 

three outer pairs of tail feathers broadly tipped with white. Immature birds 

look similar to adult females. Refer to a field guide for more information.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)I

RANGE—The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a long-bodied hummingbird 

whose migratory breeding populations range on the north across the Rocky 

Mountains to southern Montana and west through forested regions of Nevada 

and California. These hummingbirds can be seen in early March in Arizona 

and in late March through September in New Mexico. This species occupies a 

wide variety of mountain habitats, including piñon-juniper, pine-oak, montane 

riparian areas and wet meadows, and areas of open mixed conifers including 

fir, spruce, and pine. 

FOOD—Broad-tailed Hummingbirds 

primarily consume nectar from flowers 

such as red columbine, Indian paintbrush, 

sage species, and scarlet mint. Broad-tailed 

Hummingbirds also feed from flowers that 

are not typically used by other hummingbirds, including pussywillows, currants, and 

glacier lilies. They will also eat small insects, 

gleaning them from leaves and snatching 

them from midair. Western red columbine 

(Aquilegia elegantula)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com) 

Black-chinned Hummingbird—female

Courtesy of Joe Turner

(www.drjoephoto.com)
6—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Broad-tailed Hummingbird—male

Photo ©Jim Burns (www.jimburnsphotos.com)

Broad-tailed Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

NESTING—Nest site selection and construction is done entirely by the 

female and can begin as early as late April. Nests are typically observed on low 

horizontal branches of willows, alders, cottonwoods, pines, firs, spruces, or 

aspens, generally 3 to 13 feet above ground. Their nests are often located over 

water. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have been observed nesting at elevations 

over 10,700 feet. After breeding, they follow the path of blooming plants.

APPEARANCE—These mid-sized hummingbirds have longer bodies and 

wings than any other North American Selasphorus species. The male is green 

above and white below with an iridescent, rosy-red gorget. The male may be 

known at once due to the “wing trill” 

sound it produces with its wings. These 

specialized flight feathers allow him to 

be heard from about a 100-yard distance, 

making his presence obvious. 

The female is green above and white 

below, with rusty sides and rust at the 

base of the tail. Females can be 

distinguished from other Selasphorus species by a white eye-ring and 

long rectrices, which make their 

tails look longer and broader when 

fanned.

RANGE—Broad-billed Hummingbirds occur in both Arizona and New 

Mexico in BCRs 34 and 35. These primarily migratory hummingbirds have 

been confirmed breeding as far north as southeastern Arizona, southwestern 

New Mexico, and west Texas. Habitat includes rocky canyons in Sierra Madre 

Occidental and Chihuahuan desert mountain habitats. They can also be found 

around mountain slopes, canyons, foothills, arroyos, and along stream habitats 

ranging from 1,700 to 5,800 feet in elevation. Typically arriving in mid-March, 

they migrate south in early September.

Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) I
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—7

FOOD—Broad-billed Hummingbirds 

are common visitors to feeding stations in or around their preferred habitat. They prefer feeding on the nectar 

of red or red and yellow flowers, 

including agave, desert honeysuckle, 

milkweed, Bouvardia, bird-of-paradise, 

Indian paintbrush, desert willow, New 

Mexico thistle, fireweed, coral bean, 

ocotillo, trumpet honeysuckle, scarlet 

bugler, Mojave beardtongue, superb 

penstemon, and Texas betony.

NESTING— The hummingbirds’ preferred nesting habitat is thickets near 

canyon edges with northern exposure and bordered by rock outcroppings 

with hackberry, algerita, and mesquite. Nests can be found 4 to 7 feet above 

the ground on the small branch of a tree, the stalk of a vine, or in a shrub. In 

New Mexico, the species only breeds regularly in Guadalupe Canyon in the 

Peloncillo Mountains. In Arizona, Broad-billed Hummingbirds can be seen 

in abundance from the western slope of the Baboquivari Mountains, east to 

Patagonia, and north to the Santa Catalina Mountain foothill drainages. They 

also make rare appearances in canyons of the Peloncillo Mountains. Nesting 

can begin as early as mid-March. 

APPEARANCE—Male Broad-billed 

Hummingbirds are one of the most colorful hummingbirds found in North America. 

The adult male has a dark metallic bronzegreen body with a metallic blue gorget, 

glossy blue-black tail, white undertail 

coverts, brownish-gray flight feathers, and 

a white tuft of feathers on each side of the 

tail. They have a bill that is red at the base, 

black-tipped, and curves slightly downward 

toward the tip. 

Female Broad-billed Hummingbirds have 

duller metallic green upperparts with a grayish central belly and throat. They 

typically have a distinguishable white streak at the back of the eye, followed 

with a fuzzy dark gray ear patch. Females have a square-tipped tail that is 

bronze-green at the base, becoming blue-black or greenish-black terminally, 

tipped with white. The base portion of the lower bill is often red, gradually 

changing to black at the tip.

Northwestern Indian paintbrush 

(Castilleja angustifolia)

Photo by Gary S. Monroe, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service PLANTS Database

Broad-billed Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)
8—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) I

RANGE—Rufous Hummingbirds travel 

farther north than any other hummingbird, wintering in Mexico and migrating 

to breeding sites as distant as Alaska. 

Although they are relatively small hummingbirds, they have an aggressive nature 

and frequently chase larger hummingbirds 

from nectar sources. These birds visit 

Arizona and New Mexico primarily during 

fall migration, which takes place from July 

through October. 

Rufous Hummingbirds are one of the most common and widespread hummingbird species in Arizona and New Mexico and occur in all five BCRs in 

both States. Rufous Hummingbirds are found in a wide variety of habitats. 

Unfortunately, the population of this species has declined by about 60 percent 

over the last 50 years. At least one climate change model predicts this species 

will lose its entire nonbreeding habitat in the United States by the end of this 

century because of climate change.

FOOD—Rufous Hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar from colorful, tubular flowers, including columbine, scarlet gilia, penstemon, Indian paintbrush, 

mints, lilies, fireweeds, larkspurs, currants, and heaths. The hummingbirds get 

protein and fat from eating insects, particularly gnats, midges, and flies taken 

from the air and aphids taken from plants.

Rufous Hummingbird—males

Courtesy of Bob Armstrong

(www.naturebob.com)

Rufous Hummingbird—female

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)

Courtesy of Bob Armstrong

(www.naturebob.com)

Penstemon

(Penstemon lentus)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—9

Rufous Hummingbird—male

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

Rufous Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

NESTING—These birds do not breed in 

Arizona or New Mexico. They prefer to 

breed and nest in the Northwest and Alaska 

in second-growth forest communities and 

openings, but they will also use mature forests, 

parks, and residential areas. Spring migration is 

mostly along the Pacific Flyway.

APPEARANCE—The back of the adult male 

Rufous Hummingbird is cinnamon-colored 

(rufous), sometimes spangled with green, and 

rarely more than half green. The underparts 

are creamy white with a rufous “vest.” 

The crown is bright green, and the gorget is 

iridescent scarlet to orange, appearing golden 

or yellow-green from some angles. The tail extends past the wingtips. The tail 

feathers are black-tipped and pointed.

The adult female is bright green above and 

white below, strongly washed with rufous 

color on the sides, flanks, and undertail 

coverts. The face and sides of the gorget are 

also washed 

rufous. The 

gorget is offwhite, spangled 

with green to 

bronze (concentrated on 

the sides). The 

throat is marked 

with red-orange, 

from just a 

few spangles to a large patch. The rounded tail 

extends past the wingtips; it is rufous at the base 

and banded with black. The outer three pairs 

of tail feathers have white tips. Immature birds 

look similar to the adult female, although the 

immature males typically show more rufous on the rump and lower back as 

well as heavier markings on the throat. 

Rufous Hummingbird—female

Courtesy of Bob Armstrong

(www.naturebob.com)
10—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) I

Anna’s Hummingbird—male

Courtesy of Eleanor Briccetti

(www.briccettiphoto.com)

RANGE—Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents of the Pacific 

coast, ranging from southern Alaska to northern Baja California. Since the 

mid-1930s, the birds’ range has expanded greatly, likely due to their effective use of nonnative plants and feeders in urban and suburban areas. Anna’s 

Hummingbirds occur in BCRs 16, 33, and 35 in Arizona and New Mexico. 

The species is fairly common in southern Arizona, with some resident urban 

populations. They are a regular wintering bird in southwestern New Mexico 

and are occasionally found as far north as Albuquerque and Los Alamos. 

Migration of this particular species is not well understood. They do not 

migrate in the traditional latitudinal sense; instead, they tend to migrate along 

ranges of altitude. Winter habitat is almost 

always in lower elevations near human 

residences with hummingbird feeders and 

dense cover for nighttime roosting. Some 

individual birds have also been known to 

migrate east to west.

FOOD—Anna’s Hummingbirds eat nectar 

from many flowering plants, including 

currant, gooseberry, manzanita, and many 

introduced species, such as eucalyptus. 

They eat a wide variety of insects, primarily 

targeting smaller ones, like midges, whiteflies, and leafhoppers. They also feed 

on tree sap leaking out from holes made by sapsuckers.

NESTING—Nesting occurs in Arizona, but typically not in New Mexico. 

Breeding begins in the fall, making it one of the earliest breeding species in 

Arizona. Habitat includes urban areas and parks, from sea level to 6,400 feet. 

In summer, they inhabit shrubland communities 

such as chaparral-oak areas and brushy riparian areas, as well as urban and suburban areas. 

Nest placement occurs in a variety of settings; 

nests have been spotted in oaks, chaparral, and 

vines ranging from less than 3 to 30 feet above 

ground. 

APPEARANCE—Males are more vocal than 

any other North American hummingbird. In 

the United States, Anna’s Hummingbirds are 

the only hummingbird species that sings. The 

Manzanita

(Arctostaphylos patula)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—11

Anna’s Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

male has a distinctive, dry, scratchy, buzzy “song” that it sings throughout the 

year. Adult males (and some young males) have an iridescent rose/red crown 

and gorget with elongated feathers projecting to the sides. Males turn their 

head from side to side as they sing, flashing their iridescent head as a signal to 

other hummingbirds. They have a green back and are gray, darker at the edges. 

The tail extends well beyond the 

wingtips.

Adult females also have a green 

back and grayish underparts. Gorget 

markings vary from bronzy-gray 

mottling to a central splotch of 

rose/red feathers. Very rarely, 

rose-colored feathers may occur on 

the crown. The tail extends to or 

beyond the wingtips. Tail feathers 

are broad, rounded, and banded in 

a dull gray-green, blackish, or white 

color. Immature birds look somewhat similar to the adult females, although 

immature males have heavier mottling in the gorget. Anna’s Hummingbirds 

typically hold their tail motionless while hovering.

Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae)I

RANGE—Blue-throated Hummingbirds breed in the mountains of southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and central-western Texas. Bluethroated Hummingbirds are noticeably larger than 

most of the other hummingbird species found in 

Arizona and New Mexico. Magnificent Hummingbirds are the only other hummingbirds similar in 

size. This very particular species occupies pine-oak, 

deciduous woodlands, and moist mountain canyon 

habitats. Blue-throated Hummingbirds are commonly seen at an elevation range from 4,900 to 

10,800 feet. This short distance migrant typically 

arrives in mid-March and departs in September. 

FOOD—These hummingbirds may ingest only 

invertebrates during drier times of the year, 

between plant blooming seasons. The diet 

focuses primarily on flies and spiders, with 

additional components of harvestmen, parasitic 

Parry’s agave

(Agave parryi)

Photo by Jeff MacMillian, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation 

Service PLANTS Database
12—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Blue-throated 

Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

Blue-throated 

Hummingbird—male

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

wasps, true bugs, and beetles. Plants visited for nectar include penstemon, 

cardinal monkeyflower, Texas betony, sage, agave, gilias, desert honeysuckle, 

columbine, twinberry, tree tobacco, New Mexican locust, Arizona thistle, and 

coral bells.

NESTING—Blue-throated Hummingbirds found in southeastern Arizona 

have been noted nesting at sites as low as 4,800 feet in elevation. The female 

builds the nest in covered areas, such as rock canyon walls, rock overhangs, or 

under human structures, unlike any other hummingbird species found in the 

southwest. Females also tend to nest close to, or over, running water. They 

have been observed returning and adding to the same nest site for several 

years. Nest placement is fairly low for this species, typically 4 to 14 feet above 

the ground. They have been known to rear as many as three broods per year. 

The first in late April, the second in early June 

through early July, and the third in late July 

through early August. In Arizona, they 

regularly occur in the Huachuca, Santa Rita, 

and Chiricahua Mountains. 

APPEARANCE—The adult male is much 

heavier than the female Blue-throated Hummingbird and is slightly longer. The male’s 

upperparts are dull iridescent green, and the 

long broad bluish-black tail has outer feathers 

broadly tipped with white. A white streak 

appears at 

the back of 

the eye and 

at the base of 

the bill along 

the neck. Males have a metallic blue gorget 

and gray belly. The female is very similar with 

green upperparts; however, the throat and 

belly are gray like the underparts. 
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—13

Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)I

RANGE—Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding birds in North 

America and are the smallest long-distance avian migrant in the world. They 

are common residents in the mountain habitats of the Southwest. The hummingbirds migrate through both montane and lowland habitats. Spring migration is mainly through higher elevations along the Pacific Flyaway. They arrive 

in Arizona and New Mexico in July 

and are gone by the end of August. 

FOOD—Calliope Hummingbirds 

consume both floral nectar and 

small insects. This species visits plants 

with red tubular flowers and a wide 

variety of those with yellow, white, 

blue, and purple flowers. Examples 

include larkspur, columbine, creeping 

mahonia, bee plant, fireweed, 

paintbrushes, monkeyflower, and 

beardtongues.

NESTING—Preferred nesting habitat is montane conifer forests, primarily 

those in the shrub-sapling seral stage transitioning to second-growth forests 

created after fires or logging. They breed mostly in mountain areas—from 

British Columbia to California, Nevada, and Utah—and winter in Mexico.

APPEARANCE—Male Calliope Hummingbirds weigh about the same as a penny—

about half as much as male Anna’s Hummingbirds. The adult male is bright green 

above and creamy white below with a green 

sash on the sides and flanks. The adult male’s 

gorget is an iridescent wine-red to magentared and, unlike other North American hummingbirds, is separated into distinct rays that 

fan across the throat. The male can elevate 

the rays into a starburst display against the 

white background of its throat. Wingtips 

extend to or slightly beyond the short tail. 

Tail feathers are dull gray, variably edged with 

cinnamon at the base. Calliope Hummingbird—male

Courtesy of Eleanor Briccetti

(www.briccettiphoto.com)

 Rocky Mountain beeplant

(Cleome serrulata)

Photo by Clarence A. Rechenthin, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service PLANTS Database
14—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Calliope Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

The adult female is bright green to golden green above and creamy white 

below, with a rusty wash on the sides, flanks, and across the lower breast. 

The gorget is evenly spotted with dusky to brownish bronze. The tail usually 

falls short of the wingtips. The 

adult female looks much like 

the female Rufous or Allen’s 

Hummingbirds, but is smaller 

and has a shorter bill, shorter tail, 

and less rust at the base of the 

tail. Immature birds look similar 

to adult females. Calliope Hummingbirds often cock their tails 

upward, perpendicular to the 

body, while hovering.

Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) I

 Coral bean

(Erythrina flabelliformis)

Photo by Wynn Anderson, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service 

PLANTS Database

RANGE—The Costa’s Hummingbirds are a common species found in hot 

deserts and other xeric habitats. This species breeds in three major habitat 

types: Sonoran Desert scrub, Mohave Desert scrub, and California coast. It 

leaves the Sonoran and Mojave Desert scrub habitat of Arizona after the peak 

of breeding season (mid-March through mid-April) and, by May, most of 

the birds have migrated from the area. Post-breeding destinations are largely 

unknown. The species returns to Arizona and California deserts when desert 

lavender or chuparosa begin flowering. Costa’s Hummingbird can be seen 

in Guadalupe Canyon in the 

Peloncillo Mountains in extreme 

southwestern New Mexico 

from mid-March to mid-August. 

During the nonbreeding season, 

individuals have been observed 

slightly above 7,800 feet in 

elevation in chaparral, scrub, or 

woodland habitat. 

FOOD—These hummingbirds 

feed on a variety of plants and 

insects, with particular focus on 

two shrubs in desert scrub areas, 
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—15

Costa’s Hummingbird—female

Courtesy of Amy McAndrews

(www.flickr.com/photos/34470420@N02/)

Costa’s Hummingbird—male

Courtesy of Eleanor Briccetti

(www.briccettiphoto.com)

chuparosa and ocotillo.Additional nectar plants include desert lavender, thornbush, honeysuckle, beardtongue, coral bean, and New Mexico thistle.

NESTING—Costa’s Hummingbird’s 

breeding populations begin to arrive 

in southwestern Arizona in mid to late 

October, nesting at elevations from 100 

to 4,700 feet. Nest construction begins as 

early as mid-January. Nests are found primarily in foothill paloverde trees but have 

also been found in jojoba, blue paloverde, 

ironwood, canyon ragweed, hopbush, and 

goldenweed. Nests are placed anywhere 

from 1 to 9 feet above ground. The greatest threats to Costa’s Hummingbirds in 

Arizona are desert wildfires and urban 

development. 

APPEARANCE—Male Costa’s 

Hummingbirds have an iridescent 

violet crown and gorget that run 

along both sides of the throat. 

Both males and females have green 

upperparts. Females have a white 

throat and underparts, with occasional 

violet feathers.

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) I

RANGE—Magnificent Hummingbirds were known as Rivoli’s Hummingbirds 

until the mid-1980s. These hummingbirds occupy deciduous woods, streamside areas, and pine-oak woods on mountain slopes and ridges above 5,000 

feet in elevation. They arrive in early to mid-March and begin their southbound departure in August; a few individuals stay until mid-October. 

FOOD—As with other hummingbirds, Magnificent Hummingbirds consume 

both plant nectars and insects. Although research is lacking, plants believed to 
16—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

be important for Magnificent Hummingbirds include giant trumpet, century 

plants, columbine, bouvardia, Indian 

paintbrush, hedgehog cactus, penstemon, 

Jacob’s ladder, sage, and Indian pink.

NESTING—Magnificent Hummingbirds 

breed in the mountains of southeastern 

Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. 

Nest construction begins as early as April. 

Nests are generally placed 10 to 15 feet 

above the ground on a horizontal branch 

or in a shrub near streams or drainages. 

They have been found in ponderosa pine, 

Chihuahuan pine, Douglas-fir, Arizona 

walnut, and sycamore. 

APPEARANCE—Magnificent 

Hummingbirds are the second-largest 

hummingbird found in the United 

States. Males have deep green upperparts; a long bronze, black-tipped tail; 

and black underparts. They have 

a spectacular iridescent purple crown 

and bright blue-green gorget. 

Females have olive green upperparts, 

gray underparts, and light gray tips on 

the outer tail feathers.

Scarlet Bugler 

(Penstemon barbatus)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)

Magnificent Hummingbird—male

Courtesy of Laura Gooch

(www.flickr.com/photos/lgooch/)

Magnificent Hummingbird—female

Courtesy of Carol Foil

(www.flickr.com/photos/dermoidhome/)
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—17

Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) I

Lucifer Hummingbird—male

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

Lucifer Hummingbird—female

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

 Desert penstemon

(Penstemon pseudospectabilis)

Photo by Gary A. Monroe, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service PLANTS Database

RANGE—Lucifer Hummingbirds can be found in dry canyons, arid mesas, 

foothills in semidesert habitats, and on cactus-covered slopes from 4,000 to 

7,400 feet. They are often seen in habitats with many century plant agaves 

and ocotillo. These hummingbirds can be 

seen in late March through late September. 

FOOD—Lucifer Hummingbirds eat 

mainly nectar from agave, penstemon, the 

anisacanth shrub, as well as paintbrushes, 

willow, trumpet flower, and cholla. They 

also eat insects and spiders and especially 

offer these protein-rich foods to their 

young.

NESTING—Lucifer Hummingbirds 

are a rare breeder in southern Arizona 

(Santa Rita Mountains, Chiricahua 

Mountains, and Swisshelm Mountains), 

southwestern New Mexico (Peloncillo Mountains), and in the Chisos 

Mountains of western Texas. In Arizona, nests have been found in netleaf 

hackberry, desert hackberry, and Arizona sycamore. They have also been 

observed nesting on the seed pods of 

dead agave stalks, in cholla cactus, and 

ocotillo, 4 to 6 feet above the ground. 

APPEARANCE—The most distinctive 

features of the Lucifer Hummingbird 

are its long decurved bill and narrow, 

forked 

tail. 

When 

sunlight 

hits just 

right, 

males show a bright purple gorget. They have 

green backs, whitish chests, and buff sides. 

Females have a green back and crown and 

buff-colored chest. Like the males, they have a 

decurved bill but lack the forked tail. 
18—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) I

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

Photo ©Jim Burns 

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

RANGE—Violet-crowned Hummingbirds occur in BCR 34 in Arizona and 

New Mexico. They prefer desert riparian canyons with sycamore trees and 

are generally associated with streamside plants in the desert and foothills. 

Violet-crowned Hummingbirds begin to arrive in Arizona and New Mexico in 

March. These hummingbirds are frequently observed from June through early 

September. 

FOOD—Violet-crowned Hummingbirds eat nectar and small flying insects 

and spiders. They frequently visit a wide variety of plants, including ocotillo, 

creeper, desert tobacco, honeysuckle, 

firecracker bush, coral bean, spurge, 

and hedge-nettle.

NESTING—This species breeds in the 

Huachuca and Chiricahua Mountains 

of southern Arizona and Guadalupe 

Canyon in the Peloncillo Mountains of 

southwestern New Mexico. These birds 

have also been spotted in the Animas 

Mountains of New Mexico during 

the breeding season. In Guadalupe 

Canyon, they typically nest at the edge 

of riparian zones, next to xeric hillsides. Nests are typically found in sycamore trees, about 25 to 40 feet above 

the ground. 

APPEARANCE—True to the name, male 

Violet-crowned Hummingbirds have a 

violet-blue crown and emerald green back. 

They have a white neck and breast and a red 

bill tipped with black. Females are almost 

identical to males, but their crowns are 

slightly less brilliant. 

Scarlet hedge nettle

(Stachys coccinea)

Photo by Patrick J. Alexander, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service PLANTS Database
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—19

A few other hummingbird species are sometimes, though rarely, seen in 

Arizona and/or New Mexico.

Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)

RANGE—The Allen’s Hummingbirds are closely related to the Rufous 

Hummingbirds. The two species look very similar, making identification a 

challenge in areas where the species’ ranges overlap. This species breeds only 

in narrow, moist, costal zones from sea level to 1,000 feet. It breeds in coastal 

areas from California into southern Oregon and winters mostly in central 

Mexico and also along the Gulf Coast to Alabama. Allen’s Hummingbirds 

are passing migrants in Arizona, with males beginning their southward fall 

migration in mid-May and arriving in their winter range as early as August. 

White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis)

White-eared Hummingbirds are an irregular summer visitor to the mountains 

of extreme southeastern Arizona and a rare visitor to southwestern New 

Mexico. They prefer the scrubby undergrowth of oak forests, pine woods, 

pine-oak forests, high mountain fir forests, forest edges, and partially open 

mountain country with scattered trees and shrubs. Breeding has only been 

documented in the Huachuca Mountains (Miller, Carr, Ramsey, and occasionally Sawmill canyons) and Cave Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains. One pair 

was documented in the Pinaleño Mountains in 1997. White-eared Hummingbird nests are almost always found in shrubs and relatively low trees. Both 

male and female White-eared Hummingbirds have a prominent white ear 

stripe behind their eyes and red bills with black tips. 

Berylline Hummingbird (Amazillia beryllina)

The Berylline Hummingbirds are endemic to the southern and western 

Mexican foothills and highlands; however, they make very rare appearances 

as a visitor and breeder in southeastern Arizona. Berylline Hummingbirds 

have been noted to arrive in Arizona by mid- to late April. The common 

nesting period for this species occurs during Arizona’s monsoon season 

from late June through mid-August. Some individuals, however, have been 

documented nesting as early as May. 

Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbird (Heliomaster constantii)

The Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbirds are a very rare visitor to Arizona, 

with fewer than 20 documented sightings. They have been spotted as far north 

as the Santa Rita Mountains. In New Mexico, there was a possible sighting in 

Hidalgo County. 

Uncommon and Rare HummingbirdsI
20—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

These hummingbirds, common in the Eastern United States, have made rare 

appearances in Pima County (Tucson) and Santa Cruz County (Patagonia), 

Arizona. Please refer to a field guide for more information about these 

species. 

Bird Conservation Regions in 

Arizona and New Mexico

Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) are ecologically distinct regions in North 

America with similar bird communities, habitats, and resource management 

issues. The five BCRs in Arizona and New Mexico—Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau (BCR 16), Shortgrass Prairie (BCR 18), Sonoran and Mohave 

Deserts (BCR 33), Sierra Madre Occidental (BCR 34), and Chihuahuan Desert 

(BCR 35)—are shown on the map at 

right.

The U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative Committee is a coalition of government agencies, private 

organizations, and bird initiatives in 

the United States. The committee 

ensures the long-term health of North 

America’s native bird populations. Bird conservation initiatives have produced 

national and international conservation plans for birds and regional plans for 

numerous BCRs. The regional plans provide more detailed information on 

population objectives and habitat needs for birds in specific landscapes.

Ecoregions in Arizona and New Mexico

Land within Arizona and New Mexico lies within seven ecoregions, which are 

shown on the map (facing page): Ecoregions of Arizona and New Mexico. 

The ecoregion boundaries differ from those of the BCRs. Those ecoregions, 

their relationship to the BCRs, and their descriptions are as follows.

313—Colorado Plateau Semidesert Province (CPSD)—CPSD lies within 

BCRs 16 and 34 and is composed of tablelands interrupted by volcanic mountains and narrow, widely spaced stream valleys. Habitat types include grassland, 

woodland, montane, and subalpine.

M313—Arizona-New Mexico Mountains, Semidesert, Open Woodland, 

Coniferous Forest, Alpine Meadow Province (AZNMM)—AZNMM is 
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—21

located within BCRs 16, 34, and 35. It is characterized by steep foothills and 

mountains with occasional deeply dissected high plateaus. Vegetation includes 

grass, brush woodland, conifer forests, aspen, and alpine.

315—Southwest Plateau and Plains Dry Steppe and Shrub Province 

(SWPPSS)—SWPPSS lies within BCRs 16, 18, and 35 and features irregular 

plains and tablelands intermixed with rolling plains, hills, and plateaus 

dissected by moderate canyons. Arid grasslands dominate this province with 

juniper, mesquite, and live oak occurring in some areas. 

321—Chihuahuan Desert Province (CHD)—CHD lies within BCRs 34 

and 35. This ecoregion is a distinctly arid area of undulating plains and somewhat isolated mountains. Short grass and shrubs characterize the vegetation, 

with mesquite often the dominant plant.

322—American Semi-Desert and Desert Province (ASD)—ASD falls 

within BCR 33 and includes the Sonoran and Mohave deserts. Creosote bush 

is the most widely distributed plant, sparsely accompanied by cacti, shrubs, 

and herbs.

331—Great Plains-Palouse Dry Steppe Province (GPPDS)—GPPDS 

is within BCR 16 and includes the upper Rio Grande and Chama River 

valleys and smooth plains and tablelands of northeastern New Mexico. It 

is dominated by shortgrass prairie with occasional sparse tree savannas. 

M331—Southern Rocky Mountain Steppe, Open Woodland, 

Coniferous Forest, Alpine Meadow Province (SRMSWFM)—SRMSWFM 

falls within BCR 16 and is comprised of mountains and high-elevation 

meadows. Vegetation includes cold desert shrub, piñon-juniper, ponderosa 

pine, mixed conifer, spruce-fir, and alpine tundra.

Note: Ecoregion map adapted from http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecoregions/

images/maps/ecoregions-united-states-sample.jpg

313

313

322 M313

M313

315

315

321

M331

331

331

M331
22—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

To find out which ecoregion you are in, enter your postal ZIP Code (under 

“Planting Guides” on the Pollinator Partnership Web site (http://www.pollinator.org)). If you wish to supplement the information presented in this guide, 

for example, to attract other pollinators or to learn about other ecoregions, 

explore the planting guides for ecoregions throughout the United States. The 

Web site also provides additional tools and connections to useful resources for 

pollinator and plant information.

Courtesy of Yvonne Chauvin, University of New Mexico

Ecoregion M313

Ecoregion 321

Ecoregion 315

Ecoregion 322

Ecoregion M331

Ecoregion 313

All images, except as noted, courtesy of 

Esteban Muldavin, University of New Mexico
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—23

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico

The following table (Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions in Arizona 

and New Mexico) lists some plants that are nectar sources for hummingbirds. 

These plants are native to Arizona, 

New Mexico, or both, and are 

adapted to conditions in the ecoregions indicated in the table. The 

table also provides basic information 

on habitat and light, soil, and water 

needs. Finally, the table provides 

seed sources for each plant, valid 

as of December 2015. Please check 

with the seed suppliers for current 

availability. A directory of the seed 

sources follows the tables. Use locally adapted, genetically appropriate plants 

in all your restoration and pollinator enhancement work. 

Seed zones—areas with genetically similar plants—help determine the right plant 

materials to use; poorly chosen plants usually 

fail to thrive. See: http://fs.bioe.orst.edu/

web_maps/S_Zones_1Oct2013.html for 

provisional seed zones of the Southwest and 

select plant materials from your zone. 

Because nonnataive plants become invasive 

and disrupt ecosystems, the Forest Service, 

an agency of the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 

does not 

recommend 

planting them 

to attract 

hummingbirds. This practice is destructive. 

For example, yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris, 

also called “butter and eggs”) is attractive 

to hummingbirds but is a noxious weed.

Nonnative, Invasive, Yellow Toadflax

Linaria vulgaris

Courtesy of Colorado State 

University Extension–Adams County

Rocky Mountain Penstemon 

(Penstemon strictus)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)

Ecoregion 321, Southern New Mexico 

Courtesy of Esteban Muldavin, University of New Mexico
24—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico 

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Trees and Shrubs

*Anisacanthus 

thurberi

Thurber’s 

desert 

honeysuckle

X X X X 

Arctostaphylos 

pungens

Pointleaf 

manzanita

X X X X 

*Bouvardia ternifolia Firecracker 

bush

X X 

*Buddleja 

sessiliflora

Rio Grande 

butterfly bush

X 

Calliandra 

eriophylla

Fairyduster X X X X 

Ceanothus fendleri Fendler’s 

ceanothus

X X X X X 

Ceanothus 

integerrimus

Deerbrush X X X X 

*Erythrina 

flabelliformis

Coral-bean X X 

*Justicia californica Beloperone X 

*Justicia candicans Red justicia X 

*Lanicera involucrata Bearberry 

honeysuckle

X X 

Lycium andersonii Anderson 

wolfberry

X X X X 
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—25

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

Mar.–May Sun Rocky Rocky banks and 

floodplains; 

2,500–5,500 ft.

Jan.–Feb. Part shade Sandy to 

gravelly; well 

drained

Mixed shrub and sagebrush communities, 

piñon-juniper, canyons, 

lower mountain slopes

GS

May–Nov. Part shade Various Among boulders and 

rim-rock of dry mountain 

sites

Apr.–July Part shade Moist Streams and river banks

Apr.–June Sun Dry, gravelly; 

neutral–

alkaline 

Dry slopes and mesas DS, GS, RSI

June–July Part sun Dry Pine forests of foothills 

and mountains; 

5,000–10,000 ft.

May–July Sun to part 

shade

Light, 

well-drained 

soils

Chaparral, open 

coniferous forests, 

and high-elevation 

grasslands; 

3,500–7,000 ft.

June Sun Rocky; dry Dry, rocky slopes 

and washes

Mar.–June Sun Rocky; dry Rocky desert washes; 

1,000–4,000 ft. 

Feb.–Nov. Sun to part 

shade

Sandy, 

well drained

Deserts; 

0–2,500 ft.

June–July Shade Moist Along streams and in 

moist coniferous forests 

from 6,000–10,500 ft.

Feb–May Sun Dry, gravelly Dry, stony hills, mesas, 

and washes
26—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Trees and Shrubs—continued

Lycium berlandieri Berlandier’s 

wolfberry

X X 

*Lycium pallidum Pale desert 

thorn

X 

Pomaria jamesii James’ 

holdback

X X X X X 

Ribes cereum Wax current X X X X X 

Tecoma stans Yellow trumpet 

bush

X X 

Rosa woodsia Woods’ rose X X 

Cactus and Agave

Agave parryi Parry’s agave X X 

Cylindropuntia 

imbricata

Tree cholla X X X X X 

Echinocereus 

triglochidiatus

Kingcup cactus X X X X X 

Opuntia macrocentra Purple prickly 

pear

X X X 

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico—continued
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—27

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

Feb.–Oct. Sun to part 

shade

Gravelly, 

sandy; 

medium or 

clay loam

Hillsides and slopes

Apr.–June Sun Various Semidesert and 

shrubland openings

May–Sept. Sun Limestone; 

well drained

Grasslands, desert 

plains, and slopes

Apr.–June Sun to part 

shade

Rocky or 

sandy; dry to 

moist

Pine forest openings; 

dry slopes and ridges

Apr.–Nov. Sun to part 

shade

Well-drained, 

rocky; 

limestone, 

sand, or loam

Hillsides, slopes, 

and canyons; 

3,000–5,500 ft.

May–July Full sun to 

full shade

Clay loam to 

sandy loam; 

moderately 

drought 

tolerant

Variable depending 

on subspecies.

AVS, CS, CCI, DS, 

FNS, GS, HAI, LMN, 

PBS, PSW, RSI

June–Aug. Sun Well-drained, 

rocky slopes

High deserts; 

4,500–8,000 ft.

Mar.–Aug. Sun Sandy or 

gravelly 

limestonebased soils

Semideserts; sandy and 

rocky openings, plains 

and canyons; grasslands; 

3,900–7,500 ft.

Apr.–June Sun Volcanic Rocky desert slopes and 

dry mountain woodlands

Mar.–June Sun Dry; wide 

range of soil 

substrates 

Sandy desert flats, rocky 

hills or valley grasslands 

below 5,000 ft.
28—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Vines

Maurandya 

antirrhiniflora

Snapdragon 

vine

X X X X X 

Annual Herbs

Cleome serrulata Rocky 

Mountain 

beeplant

X X X 

*Cuphea wrightii Wright’s 

waxweed

X X 

Perennial Herbs

*Agastache 

pallidiflora

Bill Williams 

Mountain giant 

hyssop

X 

*Aquilegia chrysantha Golden 

columbine

X X X X 

*Aquilegia 

desertorum

Desert 

columbine

X 

*Aquilegia elegantula Western red 

columbine

X X X 

Asclepias subulata Rush milkweed X 

Castilleja angustifolia Northwestern 

Indian 

paintbrush

X 

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico—continued
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—29

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

Mar.–Oct. Part shade Various, 

especially 

limestone; 

well drained

Among shrubs in 

washes, on rocky slopes, 

and in piñon-juniper 

woodlands; 

1,500–6,000 ft.

Jul–Sept. Sun to part 

shade

Moist and 

light or sandy 

alkaline soils

Prairies, open woods, 

washes, and disturbed 

sites; 4,500–7,000 ft.

AVS, CS, FNS, GS, 

NNN, PBS, PSW, 

RSI, SIS, SSC

Aug–Oct. Sun to part 

shade

Sandy clay; 

moderately 

moist

Canyons and moist soil 

pockets on rocky hillsides 

and in piñon/juniper/oak 

communities; 

4,000–6,000 ft.

July–Oct. Part shade 

to shade

Moist, loamy Coniferous forests and 

along mountain streams; 

7,000–10,000 ft.

Apr.–Sept. Part shade 

to shade

Sandy, rocky, 

loamy, or 

limestone; 

moist and well 

drained

Sheltered canyons in the 

Chihuahuan and Sonoran 

deserts; 3,000–11,000 ft.

DS,FNS, LMN, NAS, 

PSW, SSC

May–Oct. Sun, part 

shade, 

shade

Moist soils Open rocky areas; 

700–8,000 ft.

FNS

May–July Sun to part 

shade

Moist soils Coniferous forests, 

especially along streams; 

5,000–9,800 ft.

Apr.–Nov. Sun Dry, rocky or 

sandy soils

Dry slopes, mesas, 

plains and desert washes 

to 3,000 ft.

Apr.–Aug. Shade Dry open soils Cold deserts of 

N. Arizona and 

NW New Mexico
30—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Perennial Herbs—continued

Castilleja lanata Woolly 

paintbrush

X X 

Castilleja miniata Giant red 

Indian 

paintbrush

X X 

Castilleja mogollonica Mogollon

paintbrush

X 

Delphinium barbeyi Subalpine 

larkspur

X 

Delphinium 

carolinianum

Carolina 

larkspur

X X 

Delphinium 

scaposum

Tall mountain 

larkspur

X X X 

*Epilobium canum Hummingbird 

trumpet

X X X X 

*Heliomeris multiflora Showy 

goldeneye

X X X X X 

*Heuchera sanguinea Coralbells X 

*Ipomopsis 

aggregata

Scarlet gilia X X X 

Ipomopsis thurberi El Paso 

skyrocket

X X 

*Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal flower X X X X 

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico—continued
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—31

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

Mar.–Aug. Sun to part 

shade

Dry granite 

or limestone 

soils

Arid slopes and desert; 

2,500–7,000 ft.

May–Sept. Sun Wet to moist 

well-drained 

soils

Wet mountain meadows 

and streambanks below 

11,000 ft.

July–Aug. Sun to part 

shade

Moist basalt 

soils with 

high organic 

content

Moderately drained 

sites within wet grassy 

meadows and cienegas; 

8,500–9,500 ft.

July–Aug. Shade Wet soils Moist meadows, wet 

forests, aspen 

woodlands, and 

streambanks

Apr.–July Part shade Sandy, dry Dry, open woods, sandy 

hills and brushlands

Mar.–May Sun Gravelly, dry Open deserts and 

gravelly mesas below 

5,000 ft.

June–Aug. Sun to part 

shade

Dry to moist 

soils

In the Southwest, this 

plant occurs in damp 

canyons 

July–Sept. Sun Rich, 

well drained

Roadsides, aspen 

woodlands, and dry open 

slopes

Mar.–Oct. Full shade Rocky; moist 

through 

summer

Shady foothill woodlands; 

4,000–8,500 ft.

May–Oct. Sun to

part shade

Rocky, 

mineral soils

Roadsides and openings 

in coniferous forests; 

5,000–9,000 ft. 

Aug.–Oct. Sun Rocky, well 

drained

Open slopes and 

canyons; 4,000–6,000 ft.

May–Oct. Sun, part 

shade, 

shade

Medium 

clay-loam and 

limestone; 

moist to wet

Ditches, ravines, 

depressions, woodland 

edges, openings, streambanks, roadsides, prairie; 

3,000–7,500 ft.
32—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Perennial Herbs—continued

*Lobelia laxiflora Sierra Madre 

lobelia

X 

Mahonia repens Creeping 

barberry

X X X X 

Mimulus cardinalis Crimson 

monkey flower

X X X X 

Mimulus langsdorffii Yellow monkey 

flower

X X X X X 

*Penstemon barbatus Beardlip 

penstemon

X 

*Penstemon 

cardinalis

Cardinal 

beardtongue

X 

*Penstemon parryi Parry’s 

beardtongue

X X 

*Penstemon 

pseudospectabilis

Desert 

penstemon

X X X X 

Penstemon strictus Rocky 

Mountain 

penstemon

X 

*Penstemon 

subulatus

Hackberry 

beardtongue

X X X 

*Penstemon 

superbus

Superb 

beardtongue

X X 

Penstemon virgatus Upright blue 

beardtongue

X 

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico—continued
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—33

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

May–Sept. Sun to part 

shade

Moist Canyon bottoms 

and along streams; 

4,000–5,000 ft.

Apr.–July Part shade Rich and 

sandy, loamy, 

chalky, or 

granitic soils; 

well drained

Open coniferous forests 

and wooded slopes; 

5,000–10,000 ft.

Apr.–Oct. Part shade Moist Streambanks and seeps 

below 8,000 ft.

Mar.–Aug. Part shade Moist Streambanks and wet 

places to 10,000 ft.

May–Sept. Sun to part 

shade

Mineral; 

well drained

Oak woods, coniferous 

forests and roadsides; 

4,000–10,000 ft.

May–July Sun Rocky; 

well drained

Canyon bottoms and 

rocky slopes in piñonjuniper woodlands 

and lower montane 

coniferous forests

Mar.–Apr. Sun Dry; 

well drained

Mountain canyons, 

desert washes and 

grassland slopes; 

1,500–5,000 ft.

CCI, DS, GS, LMN, 

PSW, SIS

Feb.–May Sun Dry; 

well drained

Roadsides, hillsides and 

canyons; 2,000–7,000 ft.

DS, GS, LMN, PSW, 

RSI

May–July Sun Moist Subalpine to valley 

sagebrush and conifer 

forests; 7,000–8,000 ft.

CS, CCI, FNS, GS, 

LMN, LLP, PBS, 

PSW, RSI, SIS, WF

Mar.–July Sun to part 

shade

Dry; 

well drained

Dry hillsides and cliffs 

up to 4,500 ft.

Apr.–June Sun to part 

shade

Sandy; 

well drained

Roadsides and along 

washes; 3,000–6,000 ft.

DS, GS, PSW

June–Sept. Sun Rocky, 

mineral

Pine forests and 

mountain meadows; 

5,000–11,000 ft. 
34—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Botanical Name Common Name

Ecoregion1

CHD ASD SWPPSS SRMSWFM CPSD AZNMM

Perennial Herbs—continued

Polemonium 

pauciflorum

Few-flower 

Jacob’s ladder

X 

Salvia 

penstemonoides

Big red sage X 

Silene laciniata Cardinal 

catchfly

X X X X 

Stachys coccinea Scarlet hedge 

nettle

X X X 

Hummingbird Nectar Plants for Ecoregions 

in Arizona and New Mexico—continued

*Hummingbird-adapted or preferred nectar sources

1

 Ecoregion

CHD = Chihuahuan Desert Province (321)

ASD = American Semi-desert and Desert Province (322)

SWPPSS = Southwest Plateau and Plains Dry Steppe and Shrub Province (315)

SRMSWFM = Southern Rocky Mountain Steppe, Open Woodland, Coniferous Forest, 

Alpine Meadow Province (M331)

CPSC = Colorado Plateau Semi-desert Province (313)

AZNMM = Arizona–New Mexico Mountains, Semi-desert, Open Woodland, 

Coniferous Forest, Alpine Meadow Province (M313)

Wax Currant

(Ribes cereum variety cereum)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—35

Bloom

Season Sunlight Soils, Water

General habitat/

elevation Seed Sources2 

July–Sept. Sun to part 

shade

Well drained Gravelly or rocky slopes, 

canyons, and conifer and 

oak forests

June–Sept. Sun to 

part shade

Various; well 

drained

Stream and riverbanks, 

ditches, ravines, and 

depressions

May–Aug. Part shade Rich, gravelly Pine forests, grassy 

or brushy slopes; 

5,500–9,000 ft.

Mar.–Oct. Part shade Moist, 

well-drained 

sand, loam 

or clay

Moist crevices of steep 

slopes and canyons

2

 Seed Sources:

AVS = Arkansas Valley Seeds, Inc.

CS = Comstock Seed 

CCI = Curtis and Curtis, Inc.

DS = Desert Survivors 

FNS = Flagstaff Native Plant

and Seed

GS = Granite Seed Company

HAI = Hydra Aquatics, Inc. 

LMN = Lone Mountain Natives, Inc.

LLP = Los Lunas Plant Materials 

Center (NRCS)

NAS = Native American Seed Company

NNN = Nighthawk Natives Nursery

PBS = Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc.

PSW = Plants of the Southwest

RSI = Rainier Seeds, Inc.

SIS = Stevenson Intermountain Seed

SSC = Stover Seed Company

WF = Wildseed Farms

Wood’s Rose

(Rosa woodsii)

Photo ©Al Schneider 

(www.swcoloradowildflowers.com)
36—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

Directory of Seed and Plant Sources

Arkansas Valley Seeds, Inc. 

4300 Monaco Street 

Denver, CO 80216 

(877) 907-3337 

Fax: (303) 320-7516 

email: RAvila@arkansasvalleyseed.com 

http://www.avseeds.com/ 

Bamert Seed Company 

1897 CR 1018 

Muleshoe, TX 79347 

(800) 262-9892 

email: natives@bamertseed.com 

http://www.bamertseed.com/

Browning Seed, Inc. 

3101 S. IH 27 

Plainview, TX 79072 

(800) 243-5271 

Fax: (806) 293-9050 

email: john@browningseed.com 

http://www.browningseed.com/ 

Central Texas Plant Materials Center 

NRCS 3776 FM 1292 

Knox City, TX 795290-2514 

(940) 658-3922 

Fax: (940) 658-3047 

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ 

nrcs/main/plantmaterials/pmc/central/

Clyde Robins Seed Company 

P.O. Box 411 

Santa Clara, CA 84765-0411 

(510) 315-6720 

Fax: (435) 216-5414 

email: sales@clyderobin.com 

http://www.clyderobin.com/ 

Comstock Seed 

917 Hwy 88 

Gardnerville, NV 89460 

(775) 265-0090 

Fax: (775) 265-0040 

email: sales@comstockseed.com 

http://www.comstockseed.com/

Curtis and Curtis, Inc. 

4500 N. Prince, Star RT. Box 8A 

Clovis, NM 88101 

(575) 762-4759 

Fax: (575) 763-4213 

email: seed@curtisseed.com 

http://www.curtisseed.com/ 

Desert Survivors 

1020 W. Starr Pass Blvd. 

Tucson, AZ 85713 

(520) 791-9309 

email: jim@desertsurvivors.org 

http://www.desertsurvivors.org/

Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed 

400 E. Butler Avenue 

Flagstaff, AZ 86001 

(928) 773-9406 

email: info@nativeplantandseed.com 

http://www.nativeplantandseed.com/ 

Granite Seed Company 

490 E. 76th Avenue, Unit A 

Denver, CO 80229 

(888) 577-5650 

Fax: (888) 695-5450 

email: tren@graniteseed.com 

http://www.graniteseed.com 

Hydra Aquatics, Inc. 

1614 Escalante Ave., SW 

Albuquerque, NM 

87104 (505) 249-9139 

Fax: (505) 244-8342 

http://www.hydraaquatic.com/

Lone Mountain Natives, LLC 

14 Cooper Vista Road 

Silver City, NM 88061 

(575) 538-4345 

email: lonemtn@q.com 

http://www.lonemountainnatives.com 

Western columbine—Aquilegia formosa

Photo by Gary A. Monroe, hosted by

U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service 

PLANTS Database
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—37

Mesa Garden 

P.O. Box 72 

Belen, NM 87002 

(505) 864-3131 

Fax: (877) 248-2664 

email: cactus@swcp.com 

http://www.mesagarden.com/

Mistletoe-Carter Wholesale Seeds 

780 N. Glen Annie Road 

Goleta, CA 93117 

(805) 968-4818 

Fax: (805) 968-2242 

email: sales@mcseeds.com 

http://mcseeds.com/ 

Native American Seed Co./River Run Ranch 

4111 N U.S. Highway 377 

Junction, TX 76849 

(325) 446-4141 

info@seedsource.com 

http://www.seedsource.com/ 

Nighthawk Natives Nursery and Wildlands 

Restoration 

2944 N. Castro Avenue 

Tucson, AZ 85705 

(520) 882-0969 

email: garyberni@aol.com 

Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc. 

P.O. Box 100 

Greeley, CO 80632 

(800) 782-5947 

Fax: (970) 356-7263 

email: info@pawneebuttesseed.com 

http://www.pawneebuttesseed.com/ 

Plants of the Southwest 

6680 4th St., NW 

Albuquerque, NM 87107 

(505) 344-8830 

email: plantsofthesouthwest@gmail.com 

http://www.plantsofthesouthwest.com/ 

Rainier Seeds, Inc. 

1404 Fourth Street 

P.O. Box 1064 

Davenport, WA 99122 

(800) 828-8873 

Fax: (509) 725-7015 

email: rainierseeds@rainierseeds.com 

http://www.rainierseeds.com/ 

S & S Seeds 

P.O. Box 1275 

Carpinteria, CA 93014-1275 

(805) 684-0436 

Fax: (805) 684-2798 

email: info@ssseeds.com 

http://www.ssseeds.com/ 

Sharp Bros. Seed Co. 

104 East 4th Street Road 

Greeley, CO 80631 

(800) 421-4234 

Fax: (970) 356-1267 

email: info@buffalobrandseed.com 

http://www.buffalobrandseed.com/

Southwest Seed 

13514 CR 29 

Dolores, CO 81323-9356 

(970) 565-8722 

Fax: (970) 565-2576 

http://www.southwestseed.com/

Stevenson Intermountain Seed 

P.O. Box 2 

Ephraim, UT 84627 

(435) 283-6639 

Fax: (435) 283-4155 

email: sales@siseed.com 

http://www.stevensonintermountainseed.

com/ 

Stover Seed Company 

P.O. Box 1579 

Sun Valley, CA 91353 

(800) 621-0315 

Fax: (213) 626-4920 

email: customer_service@stoverseed.com 

http://www.stoverseed.com/ 

Wildseed Farms 

100 Legacy Drive 

P.O. Box 3000 

Fredericksburg, TX 78624 

(800) 848-0078 

Fax: (830) 990-8090 

email: orders1@wildseedfarms.com 

http://www.wildseedfarms.com/ 

Additional vendors may be available that are 

more local or supply different species. Visit 

http://www.rngr.net/resources/directory to 

search by State, product, or nursery type.
38—Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico

References

Arizona Field Ornithologists. 2007. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. http://www.azfo.org/

gallery/rthu_patons.html. (22 January 2015).

Arizona Field Ornithologists. 2014. Plain-capped Starthroat Hummingbird. 

http://www.azfo.org/gallery/2014/html05/PCST_Foothills_Cohen_15_August_2014_635439260262688795.html. (22 January 2015).

Baltosser, W.H.; Scott, P. E. 1996. Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae), the birds of North 

America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://bna.birds.

cornell.edu/bna/species/251. (8 January 2015).

Baltosser, W. H.; Russell, S.M. 2000. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), the 

birds of North America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/ species/495. (22 January 2015).

Additional Resources

The Western Hummingbird Partnership (WHP) is a developing network of partners 

collaborating to build an effective and sustainable hummingbird conservation program: 

http://www.westernhummingbird.org. 

The Native Seed Network is a resource for both the restoration community and the native 

seed industry, providing powerful search tools and information on all aspects of native seed: 

http://www.nativeseednetwork.org.

The U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative Committee is a forum of government 

agencies, private organizations, and bird initiatives helping partners across the continent meet 

their common bird conservation objectives: http://www.nabci-us.org.

eBird is a real-time, online checklist program and a way for the birding community to report 

and access information about birds: http://www.ebird.org.

Partners In Flight is a coalition of partners working to combine, coordinate, and increase 

resources of public and private entities in order to conserve bird populations: 

http://www.partnersinflight.org.

The Pollinator Partnership’s mission is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and 

ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research: http://www.pollinator.org.

The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation 

of invertebrates and their habitat: http://www.xerces.org. 

Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha)

Photo by J.S. Peterson, hosted by the 

U.S. Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service 

PLANTS Database
Maintaining and Improving Habitat for Hummingbirds in Arizona and New Mexico—39

Bird Studies Canada and North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI). 2014. 

NABCI bird conservation regions. http://www.birdscanada.org/research/gislab/index.

jsp?targetpg=bcr (9 December 2014).

Calder, W.A.; Calder, L.L. 1994. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), the birds of North 

America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://bna.birds.cornell.

edu/bna/species/135. (8 January 2015).

Camfield, A.F.; Calder, W.A.; Calder, L.L. 2013. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), the birds of North America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 

http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/016. (8 January 2015).

Corman, T.E.; Wise-Gervais, C. 2005. Arizona breeding bird atlas. Albuquerque, NM: 

University of New Mexico Press. 636 pp.

DeGraaf, R.M.; Scott,V. E.; Hamre, R.H.; Ernst, L.; Anderson, S. H. 1991. Forest and rangeland 

birds of the United States: natural history and habitat use. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 688. 

eBird. 2012. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [Web application]. 

Ithaca, NY: eBird. http://www.ebird.org. (24 December 2015).

Greeney, H.F.; Wethington, S.M. 2009. Proximity to active accipiter nests reduces nest predation of Black-chinned Hummingbirds. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 121(4):809-812. 

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1676/08-174.1. 

National Audubon Society. 2014. Audubon’s birds and climate change report: A primer for 

practitioners. Contributors: Langham, G.; Schuetz, J.; Soykan, C.; Wilsey, C.; Auer, T.; 

LeBaron, G; Sanchez, C.; Distler, T. New York, NY: National Audubon Society New York. 

Version 1.2. http://climate.audubon.org/sites/default/files/Audubon-Birds-ClimateReport-v1.2.pdf. (7 March 2016).

Nature Serve. 2014. Nature Serve Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 

Version 7.1. http://explorer.natureserve.org. (1 October 2014).

New Mexico Avian Conservation Partners. Species accounts. http://avianconservationpartnersnm.org/bird-conservation-plan-2/chapter-4-species-accounts/. (17 April 2017). 

Powers, D.R. 2013. Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens), the birds of North America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/

bna/species/221. (8 January 2015).

Powers, D.R.; Wethington, S.M. 1999. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris), the birds 

of North America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://

bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/430. (8 January 2015).

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2011. All about birds (Costa’s and Broad-billed Hummingbirds). http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189. (23 August 2014).

Wethington, S.M. 2002. Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps), the birds of North 

America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://bna.birds.

cornell.edu/bna/species/688. (12 January 2015).

Williamson, S.L. 2000. Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae), the birds of North 

America online. Poole, A., Ed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. http://bna.birds.

cornell.edu/bna/species/531. (8 January 2015).
Thanks to all the people, in various disciplines, whose dedication and efforts created this document:

Brian Dykstra—Forest Service, Southwestern Region, wildlife program leader

Amanda Rael, Anne Casey, Erin Considine—Forest Service, Southwestern Region, wildlife biologists

Barb Bresson—Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, avian conservation program manager

Erik Ackerson—Graphic design, EarthDesign@weavingroom.com

Front cover:

Male Broad-billed 

Hummingbird

Courtesy of Jim Burns

(www.jimburnsphotos.com)

Mogollon Rim Cactus Bloom

Courtesy of Brady Smith

Vista Overlooking Valle Vidal, 

Northern New Mexico

Courtesy of Brian Dykstra

Male Anna’s Hummingbird

Courtesy of Eleanor Briccetti

(www.briccettiphoto.com)

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of any product or service.

Early Morning Moonset 

Over the Gila National Forest, 

Southwest New Mexico

Courtesy of Karl Malcolm

Hummingbirds Feeding at Sunset, 

Tularosa Basin, New Mexico

Courtesy of Karl Malcolm

Sunlight Through Smoke, 

Mogollon Rim, 

Northern Arizona

Courtesy of Brady Smith

Spruce-Fir Forest, 

Northern New Mexico

Courtesy of Phil Tonne