Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is one of the most common, adaptable, and easily recognized hummingbird species along the Pacific Coast of North America. Slightly larger and stouter than many other North American hummingbirds, it has successfully adapted to human urban and suburban landscapes. Unlike most other North American hummingbird species, many populations of Anna's Hummingbird do not migrate south for the winter, remaining year-round residents as long as nectar sources (natural or artificial) and winter insects are available. This hardiness has allowed them to expand their range significantly over the past century.

Identifying Anna's Hummingbirds is straightforward once you know their structural and plumage clues:

• Adult Males: Feature a stunning, iridescent rose-pink to magenta-red crown and gorget (throat) that extends down the sides of the neck like a flared collar. When the light is not hitting the feathers directly at a correct angle, the head and throat appear dull metallic gray or velvety black. The back is metallic green, and the underparts are dull gray with green washes on the flanks.
• Adult Females: Have a metallic green back and dull grayish-white underparts. The throat is typically marked with a small, central patch of rose-pink or red iridescent feathers, though this can vary from a few subtle spots to a distinct, dark pink patch. Their tail feathers are tipped with white.
• Immatures: Resemble adult females, with immature males gradually developing the pink throat and crown feathers over their first winter.

Similar Species to Distinguish:

• Costa's Hummingbird: Males have a deep purple/violet crown and gorget with much longer, mustache-like throat flares on the sides of the neck. Females have pristine white underparts without the typical central dark throat spotting of Anna's.
• Black-chinned Hummingbird: Males have a dark purple-and-black throat with no pink, and a cleaner white breast. They are also more slender and have a flatter, more horizontal perching posture.

The core range of Anna's Hummingbird spans the Pacific coast of North America, from southern British Columbia down through Washington, Oregon, California, and into Baja California, extending east into mainland Arizona. Over the last century, their range has expanded dramatically northward and eastward due to the widespread planting of exotic flowering trees (such as eucalyptus) and the year-round availability of backyard nectar feeders.

They occupy highly diverse habitats including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, suburban gardens, city parks, and riparian corridors. Although many are sedentary year-round residents, high-altitude populations may descend to lower elevations for the winter, and some individuals wander widely during the post-breeding season, appearing far inland.

Vocalization and Song: Unlike most hummingbirds, male Anna's Hummingbirds are highly vocal. They often sing a dry, scratchy, metallic song from high, exposed perches. The song consists of raspy, squeaky notes, buzzes, and chirps that can last up to 10 seconds. Their contact call is a sharp, dry chip or tick.

Courtship Dive: During the breeding season, males perform spectacular, high-speed aerial courtship dives. The male climbs steeply to heights of 20 to 40 meters (65 to 130 feet) before plunging downward in a near-vertical dive. At the bottom of the loop, he swoops in front of the female, producing a loud, high-pitched "pop" or "chirp" sound created by air rushing through his outer tail feathers (rectrices).

Feeding: Anna's Hummingbirds feed on nectar from a wide variety of native and introduced flowers, supplemented by tree sap from sapsucker drill-holes. They also consume large quantities of tiny insects and spiders, which they easily catch mid-air (known as hawking) or glean directly from foliage.

Nesting: The female builds a tiny, deep cup-shaped nest entirely by herself, using plant down, cattail fibers, and feathers, bound together with sticky spider silk. The exterior is camouflaged with lichens. She typically lays a clutch of two tiny white eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks.