Lucifer

Common name: Lucifer hummingbird
Scientific name: Calothorax lucifer
Clades: Mellisugini - Bees

The Lucifer hummingbird is 10-centimeter (3.9 in) long.

The Lucifer Hummingbird is a small and captivating creature, graces the deserts with its presence. The male, adorned in dusky-green tones, boasts a striking white chest that contrasts with its expansive purple throat, a remarkable sight for any fortunate observer. Its long, curved bill sets it apart, and the long forked tail, usually held closed to a point, adds to its allure.

On the other hand, the female Lucifer Hummingbird presents a different charm with her buffy underbelly, complemented by a dusky mask and buffy eyebrows. Regardless of age or sex, the distinct bill shape remains the key to identifying these mesmerizing birds.

These enchanting creatures favor the company of flowering agave plants, creating a picturesque scene in the desert landscapes. With pointed outer tail feathers, the male Lucifer stands apart from its counterparts, contributing to its unique and unforgettable presence in its habitat.

Truly, the Lucifer Hummingbird, with its exquisite features and preference for desert blooms, stands as a tiny but magnificent jewel of the arid lands.

Distributed to deserts and arid areas with agave plants in the southwestern United States, from southwest Texas, and extreme southwestern New Mexico to southeastern Arizona, and in central and northern Mexico. It is also found in the Madrean sky islands of the northern end of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico. Its preferred habitat tends to be at altitudes of 3,500–5,500 feet (1,100–1,700 m) in canyons, mountain slopes, and dry washes having desert shrubs and cacti. In winter, the birds migrate to central Mexico.