The Broad Billed Hummingbird Postage Stamp

Front:
29 CHINGTOR JUN 15 1992 20066 Belke Broad-billed Hummingbird DC

Back:
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD First Day of Issue: June 15, 1992 First Issue Location: Washington, D.C. Deep inside Arizona's Santa Rita Mountains, a tiny bird zips back and forth in a swinging motion that emulates the pendulum of a clock. The display is enchanting, but it is the sound of the little bird's wings that captures the attention, a sound befitting the Wild West location, not unlike the wild screaming of a ricochetting bullet. A male Broad-billed Hummingbird is at it again, attempting to entice a female as his mate. Found along sycamore-lined canyons in west Texas and southeastern Arizona, the Broad-billed Hummingbird is best known for the noisy aerial display and a bright red bill which is present on both male and female. The male is an iridescent gem, with emerald plumage on its belly and back, and a throat patch which is as deep azure as the Southwestern twi- light. The brilliant sunlight of the desert brings these colors out in vivid display; in the shade, the male Broad- billed Hummingbird appears almost black. The female, while less colorful, is nonetheless a beauty too, with subtle hues of green, gray and white. No. 92-46 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Don Balke Fleetwood OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTCARD NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETYⓇ