The Lucifer Hummingbird is another of the many species of hummers you will find in Madera Canyon of the Santa Rita Mountains, located about 30 miles south of Tucson.
The common name of Lucifer has nothing to do with the devil! This hummer’s name really refers to “light-bearing” in Latin, probably referring to the iridescent plumage. The upper part of the bird is metallic green decorated with purple throat feathers called a gorget. They have a dark colored tail with a pronounced fork. Their long beak is curved to reach deep into the throats of their favorite flowers.
It is sad to think this beautiful hummer was once captured and sold stuffed. Sometimes they were also sold live for pets.
The hummer male of this species performs aerial acrobatics in hopes of attracting females.
Unlike other hummingbirds, the collective term for a group of Lucifers is called an “inferno”.
Reference: The Nature of Madera Canyon by Douglas W. Moore, Friends of Madera, 1999; whatbird.com
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