The primary nesting hummingbird of the Texas Hill Country. Males display an iridescent velvet-black throat bordered by a brilliant violet band visible in bright sunlight.
Field Identification: Adult male: black chin with a shimmering purple/violet lower border. Female: plain white chest and greenish back with rounded tail tips.
Texas & Hill Country Notes: Their wings beat up to 50–80 times per second, generating a humming sound while hovering to drink nectar from native Flame Acanthus and Salvia blossoms. Females bind their tiny cup nests with sticky spider webs, allowing the nest to stretch as the chicks grow.
