STATUS: Rare and local.
HABITAT: Inhabits cactus-covered slopes, dry canyons, arid mesas, and foothills and semi-desert habitats from 4,000 to 7,400 feet, often where century-plant agaves are abundant.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Flowers for nectar, particularly agaves.
NEST: Places nest in a shrub or on a seed pod of a dead stalk of an agave, 4 to 6 feet above the ground.
FOOD: Forages on Chisos bluebonnet, ocotillo, tree tobacco, and yellow-green blossoms of agave for nectar; probably consumes a high proportion of insects as well.
REFERENCES: Garrett in Farrand 1983b, Johnsgard 1983b, Oberholser 1974a, Terres 1980.