Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in Arizona

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are summer residents in Arizona, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on nectar from penstemon and scarlet gilia.

Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.

Across Arizona, broad-tailed hummingbirds typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup on a low branch under cover. Females lay 2 eggs, incubate for 16–19 days, and young leave the nest after 21–26 days.

Summer highs above 110°F in Phoenix and Tucson make water the single strongest attractant; the July monsoon triggers a second breeding pulse.

• Broad-tailed Hummingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as golden currant, desert willow, ocotillo for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Of the regional native plants we track for Arizona, these 8 provide food or cover broad-tailed hummingbirds use:

Breeds at 6,000–10,000 ft; can drop body temperature overnight to survive frosty mountain nights.

• Best foods: Sugar water 1:4.
• In Arizona's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for broad-tailed hummingbirds · Best feeder for broad-tailed hummingbirds