By Bob Loy, PEEC Community Member
Ever wonder what made that trilling noise as it zipped over your head? While you suspected it was a hummingbird, you probably did not know that only the male Broad-tailed Hummingbird makes that unique sound while flying here in Los Alamos.
An often overlooked aspect of Hummingbirds is their role as pollinators. While bees get most of the pollinator glory, hummingbirds are also important pollinators. More than 160 native North American plants depend exclusively on hummingbirds for pollination, especially plants in the Fuchsia, Yucca, Currant, Sage and Aloe species. Hummingbirds are amazingly adapted pollinators. They have long, slender bills and tube-like tongues that they use to drink nectar from brightly-colored flowers; this gives them the energy they need to fuel their high metabolism. Hummingbirds drink up to two times their body weight per day. As they move from plant to plant, they carry pollen. As they pollinate the native wildflowers in parks, and the plants in your garden, hummingbirds add a splash of color to our landscapes.
Los Alamos County is the Spring breeding ground for both the Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. In addition, Los Alamos hosts two other migrant species––the Rufous and Calliope––as they venture North to their breeding grounds in the Spring, and in the Summer, as they re-fuel for their return south to Central America. Four species don’t sound like a lot, but if you live east of the Mississippi, you only have one species, the Ruby-throated.
A few notes on each:
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds:
Males wings make distinct trilling sound when flying
Highest altitude breeder in US
Usually prefer red flowers
Black-chinned Hummingbirds:
Adaptable – broadest range of habitats
Mating ritual – U shaped arc
Unsocial – only come together for mating
Rufous Hummingbirds:
VERY, VERY territorial; always on patrol
Most northern hummingbird breeder
Females are slightly larger
Calliope Hummingbirds:
Smallest bird in continental North America
VERY territorial; will chase hawks
2.5 grams = weight of a penny
Keep an eye and ear out for our Hummingbirds; many have already arrived and started to pollinate plants in your gardens without you knowing. If you decide to feed them, don’t buy the fancy store nectar––make your own. A simple solution of one-part sugar to four-parts water is all it takes. No boiling or dyes required.
Photo Credit: Bob Walker
This article was featured in the Summer 2025 Edition of Nature Notes, PEEC’s quarterly newsletter mailed to members. PEEC activities and events are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.