Costa's Hummingbird vs Broad-billed Hummingbird

In short

Costa's Hummingbird and Broad-billed Hummingbird can be distinguished by their bill color and throat markings. Costa's has a shorter, straight black bill and a distinctive purple gorget, while the Broad-billed has a longer, slightly decurved bill that is bright red with a black tip and a blue throat.

Identification tips

1. Bill color: Costa's has a black bill, while Broad-billed has a red bill with a black tip. 2. Throat color: Male Costa's has a purple gorget; male Broad-billed has a blue throat. 3. Habitat: Consider the habitat; Costa's is more common in deserts, while Broad-billed prefers riparian areas. 4. Courtship displays: Listen for Costa's distinctive whistled dive calls.

Size

Both species are small hummingbirds, but the Broad-billed Hummingbird is slightly larger and more robust than Costa's.

Plumage

Costa's Hummingbird males have a striking purple gorget and crown, while females and immatures are less colorful, with greenish upperparts and whitish underparts. The Broad-billed Hummingbird male has a vivid blue throat and green body, with a red bill that has a black tip. Females and immatures of both species are less distinctive, but the bill color remains a key difference.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit typical hummingbird behaviors such as hovering and rapid flight. Costa's Hummingbird males perform courtship dives with a distinctive whistled vocalization, while the Broad-billed Hummingbird's courtship displays are less well-documented.

Habitat

Costa's Hummingbird is often found in desert scrub and chaparral, particularly in the Sonoran Desert, while the Broad-billed Hummingbird prefers riparian areas and can adapt to a variety of habitats, including gardens and woodlands.

Voice

Costa's Hummingbird males are known for their whistled vocalizations during courtship dives. The vocalizations of the Broad-billed Hummingbird are less documented, but they interact with other hummingbirds through various calls.