Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer), South side, Lower Ash Canyon, E of Hwy. 92, Cochise County

Lucifer Hummingbird is very rare in Southeastern Arizona but for the past several years has been a regular visitor to a couple of feeding sites in the Huachuca Mountains. 

This Lucifer Hummingbird has been present in Robert Behrstock's backyard feeders since 28 March 2008.  It has been a regular spring/summer bird at this location for several years.  It was photographed by Robert on 9 April 2008.  This location is less than a mile from the Ash Canyon Bed&Breakfast which also regularly hosts Lucifer Hummingbirds.  There is no particular reason to believe they are the same individuals.  In fact, this bird appears to have longer gorget feathers than the one photographed at the Bed&Breakfast.   

Note the long, decurved bill, long purple gorget, very narrow tail

Lucifer Hummingbird is an Arizona Bird Committee Sketch Details species.  Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

9 April 2008, photo by Robert Behrstock