Costa's Hummingbird
Calypte costae
The Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a common hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 3 g. Costa's hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.
About the Costa's Hummingbird
Costa's hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It breeds in the arid, semi-arid and Mediterranean climate zones of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, mainly in Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula. Like many hummingbirds in the region, it can be found on the Pacific coast, often visiting backyard hummingbird feeders and gardens with flowering plants, as well as in more wild ecosystems, such as the conifer and oak forests, chaparral, and high desert habitats found further inland. When not in the US, the species often winters in western Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This species is small, as a mature adult grows to only 3–3.5 in (7.6–8.9 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 11 cm, and an average weight of 3.05 g for males and 3.22 g for females. The male has a mainly green back and flanks, a small black tail and wings, and patches of white below their gorgeted throat and tail. Its most distinguishing feature is its vibrant purple cap and throat with the throat feathers flaring out and back behind its head. The female is not as distinct as the male, having grayish-green above with a white underbelly.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada.
When to see it
The Costa's Hummingbird can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Costa's Hummingbird?
- This species is small, as a mature adult grows to only 3–3.5 in (7.6–8.9 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 11 cm, and an average weight of 3.05 g for males and 3.22 g for females. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Costa's Hummingbird?
- The Costa's Hummingbird is a tiny sized bird weighing about 3 g.
- Where can you see a Costa's Hummingbird?
- The Costa's Hummingbird occurs in 3 countries, including the United States and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Costa's Hummingbird?
- The Costa's Hummingbird is most easily confused with the Anna's Hummingbird.
- Is the Costa's Hummingbird endangered?
- The Costa's Hummingbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Costa's Hummingbird for real
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