Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii), Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Visitor's Center Feeders, Santa Cruz County

On 10 August an adult Plain-capped Starthroat started coming to the feeders at the Spirit Tree Inn in Patagonia (see here).  On 13 August an adult Plain-capped Starthroat was observed at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Visitor Center.  These two locations are 2.6 miles apart. Starthroats were observed at the two locations only about 10 minutes apart, so it seems most likely they are two different birds.  This Plain-capped Starthroat was photographed by Bryan Holliday on 13 August 2009.

Plain-capped Starthroat is normally resident from southern Sonora, Mexico to northern Costa Rica. It strays casually to southern Arizona in summer and early fall, chiefly to elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet. There are fewer than 20 records for the state.  While birders most often find them at feeders, the species prefers hawking insects to taking nectar. They are also attracted to blooming century plants. The first Arizona (and U.S.) record was at a Nogales feeder, 20-30 September 1969.

13 August 2009, photos by Bryan Holliday

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