Costa's Hummingbird
Calypte costae · Hummingbirds
The Costa's Hummingbird is a diminutive and compact species found in arid regions of southwestern North America. Males are easily identified by their striking iridescent purple crown and gorget, which flares dramatically. Females are more subtly colored, with green upperparts and whitish underparts. This species is well-adapted to desert environments, often timing its breeding with the availability of desert blooms.
Explore the full field guideDesert residentSmall sizeHigh-pitched callsNectar, insects
142 calls·first heard Jun 27·last 8d ago
When it's heardpeak 7a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Iridescent violet-purple crown and a gorget that flares out along the sides of the neck. Back and flanks are metallic green.
- Greenish upperparts, whitish underparts, and a pale eyebrow stripe. Lacks the male's extensive purple iridescence.
- Resembles the adult female, with greenish upperparts and whitish underparts. May have gray-buff edging on upperpart feathers.
- Small and compact with a hunched posture and a relatively short tail.