Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Broad-billed Hummingbird
Scientific name:	Cynanthus latirostis
Date:	26 March 2025
Time:	13:00
Length of time observed:	1 hour
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Welcome Spring, in grove of cottonwood trees near the tire trough close to the spring head
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.09664, -113.90673
Elevation:	4,459 ft
Distance to bird:	10
Optical equipment:	Binoculars and scope
Weather:	Clear, light wind
Light Conditions:	Sunny mid-day
Description: Size of bird:	small - hummingbird sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	distinct hummingbird shaped with compact body, long bill and short, stiff wings
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	darker emerald green and blue thr, bill bright red/orange
(Description:) Bill Type:	long thin bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	The bird was first seen in flight, the very rapid wing beats, overall dark color and very apparent bright red bill all immediately indicated a rare hummingbird. The bird first perched in the shaded interior of shrub about 30-40 feet away and precise field marks were not as noticeable beyond the overall dark emerald green and blueish color with the very obvious bright red bill. The bird then came and perched very close in the cottonwood above me and I could clearly see the emerald green color, blue on throat and front, and the white spot behind the eye; the long bright red/orange bill transitioned to a dark tip; the long, notched tail. I took a number of digi-bin photographs before returning to my vehicle to get a scope and contact Danielle Finlayson, who was nearby at Lytle Ranch. Danielle came and joined me and we returned up to the spot within about 30 minutes. After some searching and waiting, we were able to resight the hummingbird. We were able to watch it fora ge, both gleaning along leaves for something, and feeding from paintbrush flowers. We also watched it drink from a small pool and trickle of water in the wash. The hummingbird also perched enough times that we were able to digi-scope better photographs (provided by email). see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	only a few "tek" chips and higher pitched calls, mostly silent except for low hum of wing beats
Behavior:	flying, hovering, foraging on nectar from flowers, perching
Habitat:	spring oasis in desert, shrubs, cottonwood trees, broader area was juniper, and desert scrubs. Hummingbird stayed within the oasis of the cottonwoods, shrubs at spring.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Overall color (emerald green), red bill and notched tail eliminated all common hummingbirds. Bright red bill combined with notched tail distinguish from most other rare hummingbird possibilities like Blue-throated Mountain-gem or Rivoli's Hummingbird. White-eared Hummingbird eliminated by lack of white eyebrow and only a very small, white spot just behind the eye (initially not perceivable), and overall darker, deeper green appearance.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Lifer for this species. Very familiar with usual common hummingbird species in Utah, and have seen the closely related non-migratory Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird (used to be included in C. latirostris as a subspecies) in southern Mexico.
References consulted:	In field: Sibley Birds V2 app, Merlin Bird ID app (Mexico packs loaded) as reference did not use any auto-ID tools. Later cross checked information on Broad-billed and Turquoise-crowned Hummingbirds with Birds of the World accounts.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Adam Brewerton
Observer's address:	431 East 300 South B, Logan, UT 84321
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Danielle Finlayson
Date prepared:	13 June 2025
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	My apologies for the long delay in submitting this record. :)