The Broad-tailed Hummingbird of the Santa Ritas

The Proctor Trail is an easy hike for those wanting to avoid the steep trails of the Santa Rita. Much of this trail is handicapped accessible, with paved paths, benches, and footbridges over the running creek. This is an excellent time to stroll up there, as there is running water and cool temperatures. This is the first trail you come up on as you approach Madera Canyon. Hiking to Mt. Wrightson is a long trek, but using the Super Trail instead of the steeper Old Baldy trail is an option, however it is twice as long. To reach this trail head, drive all the way to the end of Madera Canyon Road (aka Whitehouse Canyon Rd.) and park at the lower restroom. Even if you do not make it to the top, the lower half has running water and plenty of beautiful scenery. View the list »
The Santa Rita Mountains are home to many hummingbird species, attracting visitors from all over the world looking to see as many kinds as possible. To avoid the crowds gathering at feeders in the Canyon, taking a hike up less traveled trails is another way to see birds and other wildlife. Try the Bog Springs Trail on a spring day, where you will be treated to wildlife of all kinds.

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The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is yet another species of hummer you will be able to see if you visit Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson. However, not only a visitor to Madera Canyon, this hummer also likes higher elevations, which increases the likelihood you will see in on a hike into the pines on the way to Mt. Wrightson or other trails near the top.

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This hummer has green feathers on the top, and gray underneath. Their throat is a bright, iridescent red. They have a straight, black beak, and black legs and feet. This hummer not only enjoys nectar, but will eat insects and tree sap. They also look for and eat spiders.

The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is unique in that it returns to the same nest year after year. However, not without some renovations first. They are known to build a whole new nest on top of the old one. This is also one of the longest lived hummingbirds, where one monitored bird lived to be 12 years old.

Reference: The Nature of Madera Canyon by Douglas W. Moore, Friends of Madera, 1999; whatbird.com

View the list
  • The Santa Rita Mountains are home to many hummingbird species, attracting visitors from all over the world looking to see as many kinds as possible. To avoid the crowds gathering at feeders in the Canyon, taking a hike up less traveled trails is another way to see birds and other wildlife. Try the Bog Springs Trail on a spring day, where you will be treated to wildlife of all kinds.
  • Hiking to Mt. Wrightson is a long trek, but using the Super Trail instead of the steeper Old Baldy trail is an option, however it is twice as long. To reach this trail head, drive all the way to the end of Madera Canyon Road (aka Whitehouse Canyon Rd.) and park at the lower restroom. Even if you do not make it to the top, the lower half has running water and plenty of beautiful scenery. 
  • The Proctor Trail is an easy hike for those wanting to avoid the steep trails of the Santa Rita. Much of this trail is handicapped accessible, with paved paths, benches, and footbridges over the running creek. This is an excellent time to stroll up there, as there is running water and cool temperatures. This is the first trail you come up on as you approach Madera Canyon. 
View the list

, Santa Rita Mountains Outdoor Recreation Examiner

Ms. Strader is 40-year resident of Southern Arizona. She began her Forest Service career as a fire fighter in the Santa Rita Mountains which was the beginning of her dedication to learning as much as she could about the mountains she used to protect. ...

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