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October 30, 2006
Rare bird makes visit to arboretum
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior has recently become home to a rare hummingbird hybrid. The bird, which was first spotted in September, has the characteristic green and blue plumage of the broad-billed hummingbird. But it also has the snowy white underbelly of the violet-crowned hummingbird.
Hybrid Hummingbird
Hybrids occasionally occur among hummingbirds in nature, but the two species involved make this individual rare, said Troy Corman with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"There are only one or two other reported records of this cross ever in the wild," Corman said.
Broad-billed hummingbirds can be seen at the arboretum during the year, but the violetcrowned species, which are native to Mexico, are almost never seen this far north.
Migration of a rare species into the area could provide an explanation for the hybrid.
"A violet-crowned could have come into an area and not have found another of its species to mate with, choosing a broad-billed instead," Corman said. Hummingbirds seasonally migrate to areas where they can find insects and flowering plants for food.
The bird has taken up residence in the arboretum's hummingbird and butterfly garden, where it is frequently seen by visitors and staff members.
The best time of day to see the hybrid is in the mornings or evenings when hummingbirds are most active, said arboretum spokesman Paul Wolterbeek.
"Arizona is kind of a birder's hot spot, and people fly in from all over to see rare hummingbirds," Wolterbeek said. "But most people will never in their lives see a broad-billed or violet-crowned hummingbird, which really makes this hybrid very rare." ...
More info from the Arboretum's site:
Broad-billed Hummingbirds overwinter at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, but in September, 2006 we had a particularly interesting rarity - this hybrid appears to be a crossbreed of Broad-Billed and Violet-crowned Hummingbird parents ... quite striking, and unmistakable with blue accents on his head and shoulders. This bird was first photographed by Jack Holloway, then observed again September 16 by Troy Corman. Since then it has taken up residence in our Hummingbird-Butterfly garden, and seen and photographed as recently as Sunday, October 15.
Posted by sue at October 30, 2006 02:30 PM