Montana Field Guide

Widely known for its aggressive nature. Short-bodied, stubby and rusty in appearance. Sexually dimorphic. Male's dorsal plumage is a non iridescent rusty red. Female and juvenile dorsal plumage is a green iridescence. Male gorget is brilliant orange-scarlet. Female throat varies from clear or streaked with bronze-green, to multiple scarlet spots or large central gorget patch of male-like colors. Male's wings emit a metallic whine. Juveniles resemble females with green iridescent backs and white-tipped rectrices. (Calder. Willima. A. The Birds of North America, No.53, 1993).

Generally cool environments. Principally secondary succession communities and openings, forested and brushy habitats of the Pacific northwest through the Gulf of Alaska coastal forests and inland to northern Rocky Mountains. Typically nests in second growth and mature forests. (Calder 1993).

Floral nectar and small insects. (Calder 1993).

Nests are ususally well hidden in a variety of plants and sites including shrubs, drooping lower branches or trees-conifers and oaks. Reports of colonies of up to 20 nests only a few yards from each other in timber or second growth. Clutch size is normally 2 eggs. (Calder 1993). Eggs and nests found in Jul. Near Fortine, egg dates range from Jun 3-25; earliest hatching observed was Jun 10.