Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Lampornis clemenciae
Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Lampornis clemenciae. Photograph taken in Copala, Sinaloa, March 2017. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.
Background and Identification
The Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Lampornis clemenciae, is a member of the Trochilidae family of birds, which is also known as the hummingbird family. It is the largest hummingbird that breeds in the United States, more than three times as large as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris. Blue-throated Mountain Hummingbird is another name for this species, both names are used interchangeably. In Mexico, this species is known as Colibri-serrano Gorjiazul.
Blue-throated Mountain Gems are a sexually dimorphic species, females are much smaller and slightly less colorful. They are large hummingbirds, averaging 12 cm (4.7 inches) to 13 cm (5.1 inches) in length and 7.6 g (0.27 oz) in weight. Males are particularly notable for their iridescent blue throats, contrasting with their green upperparts and grayish underparts. Females, while less colorful, have a white throat and a more subdued greenish-brown coloration. Both sexes have a slightly curved bill adapted for nectar feeding.
Habitat and Geographical Range
Blue-throated Mountain Gems inhabit montane forests, preferring cool, moist environments with abundant flowering plants. They are often found in pine-oak forests, cloud forests, and mixed woodlands. These birds are typically found at elevations ranging from 1,500 m (4,900 feet) to 3,500 meters (11,500 feet), where they can access a variety of nectar sources.
Geographically, the Blue-throated mountain Gem is found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. In the United States, they are primarily seen in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and western Texas. Their range extends south through the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges (in Mexico), reaching as far as Nicaragua.
Common Misidentifications
The Blue-throated Mountain Gem can be confused with other hummingbirds that share similar habitats and ranges. One common look-alike is the Magnificent Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens, which also has iridescent plumage. However, the Magnificent Hummingbird male has a purple crown and green throat, distinguishing it from the blue throat of the Blue-throated Mountain gem. The outer three rectrices are a bronze-green color in the Magnificent Hummingbird, whereas the Blue-throated Mountain Gems’ are brown.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective the Blue-throated Mountain Gem is currently considered to be of Least Concern with generally stable populations. These birds are highly tolerant of human activity and urban areas, even nesting in high-traffic areas on or around buildings. At the northwestern edge of its range, this species is in danger from the introduction of exotic plants that take over the habitat of nectar-producing bushes and cacti.