Small hummingbird of desert lowlands and foothills. Found in gardens, agricultural areas with flowers, and native scrub; often fairly common. Best identified by combination of rather long arched bill and pale rusty rump patch; appreciably larger than most other superficially similar hummingbirds in its range, such as Peruvian Sheartail. Male has a magenta-rose gorget (often messy and incomplete). Female is drab whitish below with duskier sides.