Violet-crowned Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird, 3.9–4.5 in long and weighing 5.1–5.8 g, with a bright violet-blue crown, coppery-bronze tail and pure white underparts; females are similar but generally duller. In Arizona, the northern subspecies R. v. ellioti breeds from April to September in riparian sycamore-lined canyons of southeastern Arizona (4,000–5,500 ft), feeding on nectar from agave, ocotillo and desert willows and catching small insects by hawking and gleaning. It remains uncommon but regular in summer and shows signs of a northward range expansion, with occasional overwintering individuals recorded. The best place to see them is at The Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia.
