Basilinna xantusii
The Xantus's Hummingbird (Basilinna xantusii) is a stunning, medium-sized hummingbird renowned for its vibrant plumage and restricted range, primarily endemic to the Baja California peninsula. Males are particularly striking with iridescent green upperparts, a prominent white post-ocular stripe contrasting with dark auriculars, and a fiery, iridescent coppery-red gorget that can appear orange or green depending on the light. They measure about 8-9 cm (3.1-3.5 in) in length and weigh approxima...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid scrublands, desert oases, riparian woodlands, and open evergreen forests. It can be found from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2000 meters (6,500 feet), favoring areas with diverse flowering plants.
Their diet consists mainly of nectar from a wide array of native and cultivated flowering plants. They also consume small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein, captured by hawking or gleaning.
Xantus's Hummingbirds are diurnal, often active from dawn until dusk, frequently engaging in crepuscular feeding. They are expert foragers, hovering delicately to extract nectar from a variety of flowers, including cacti, agaves, and cultivated plants, often following a trapline route. Small inse...
The Xantus's Hummingbird is predominantly resident throughout the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, extending from the northern parts of Baja California down through Baja California Sur, including the arid Cape Region. Its primary distribution covers both the Pacific and Gulf coasts, favoring ...
Least Concern
- The Xantus's Hummingbird is named after János Xántus, a Hungarian zoologist who collected the first specimen in the mid-19th century. - It is one of the few hummingbirds with a prominent white post-ocular stripe, which is a key identification mark for both sexes. - This species is largely endem...