Beautiful Sheartail

100

Not yet spotted on Fladder

The Beautiful Sheartail, *Calothorax pulcher*, is a diminutive hummingbird often considered a subspecies or synonym of the Lucifer Hummingbird. It shares many characteristics with its close relative, distinguished by its unique tail and vibrant plumage.

Where to spot

Arid and semi-arid scrublands, dry mountain slopes, and canyons, primarily restricted to specific regions of central and southern Mexico.

How to spot

Look for its small size, distinctive tail shape, and the male's iridescent gorget. It often perches conspicuously on exposed branches and feeds from a variety of desert and shrubland flowers.

When to spot

Year-round in its native range, though local movements may occur based on the availability of flowering plants. Best observed during daylight hours, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.

Where to spot

Arid and semi-arid scrublands, dry mountain slopes, and canyons, primarily restricted to specific regions of central and southern Mexico.

How to spot

Look for its small size, distinctive tail shape, and the male's iridescent gorget. It often perches conspicuously on exposed branches and feeds from a variety of desert and shrubland flowers.

When to spot

Year-round in its native range, though local movements may occur based on the availability of flowering plants. Best observed during daylight hours, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Its taxonomic status is debated, with some authorities considering *Calothorax pulcher* a distinct species based on subtle morphological differences and distribution, while others treat it as synonymous with *Calothorax lucifer*.

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