Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina), Ramsey Canyon, Cochise County

One of the specialty birds of southeastern Arizona, Berylline Hummingbird is a casual visitor from northern Mexico and occasional nester in canyons of the Sky Island ranges of Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. This bird was first reported from the feeders of the Ramsey Canyon Inn on May 27th by Bob Behrstock and the photos were taken on June 15th, 2007 by Al Tozier, who noted the presence of a band on the bird. A Berylline was netted in Ramsey Canyon in 2006. This may be the same bird.

Because of the rarity of Berylline Hummingbirds in Arizona and the potential for confusion created by the similar-appearing hybrid hummingbirds found in recent years in the same canyons, this species is on the Arizona Bird Committee's Review List. Thanks to Al Tozier for providing documentation of this rarity.

15 June 2007 photo by Al Tozier