Hummingbirds
Calypte anna
The Anna's Hummingbird is a common and striking species found along the Pacific Coast of North America. These iridescent birds, often described as flying jewels, are known for their emerald green feathers and, in males, a vibrant rose-pink throat and crown. Despite their small size, they are quite vocal and make a strong impression with their energetic displays.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
Iridescent reddish-pink feathers cover the entire crown and throat, extending slightly to the neck sides.
Typically dull gray, but often shows flecks or a patch of red iridescence, which is unusual for female hummingbirds.
Both sexes have an iridescent bronzed-greenish back and flanks, with duller grayish-green or grayish-white underparts.
Possesses a straight, short-to-medium length bill and a fairly broad tail that extends beyond the wingtips when perched.
02 / A place in the world
Anna's Hummingbirds thrive in a variety of environments, including open woodlands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak savannahs. They are particularly common in urban and suburban areas, frequently visiting gardens and parks with cultivated flowering plants.
This species is found along the western coast of North America, from southern Canada through Washington, Oregon, and California, extending east into southern Arizona and northern Baja California. Their range has expanded significantly since the early 20th century.
Anna's Hummingbirds are largely permanent residents throughout most of their range, a notable characteristic among North American hummingbirds. While they do not undertake long-distance migrations, they may make local shifts in search of food sources, especially during winter.
03 / Listen a little closer
Males produce a distinctive, scratchy, metallic song, often while perched. Calls include soft chips and a rapid, repeated series of notes.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Their primary food source is nectar from a wide array of flowering plants, including native species like currant and manzanita, as well as introduced plants such as eucalyptus. They also consume small insects and spiders, which provide essential protein and lipids.
These hummingbirds feed by flicking their double-grooved tongue into flowers to extract nectar. They also actively hunt small insects, snatching them from foliage, crevices, or directly from the air. They may also feed on tree sap.
The female alone constructs a small, cup-shaped nest, typically on a horizontal branch of a shrub or tree. She uses plant down and small feathers, binding them with spider webs, and may decorate the exterior with lichens or mosses. She lays two white, oval eggs.
Anna's Hummingbirds are not highly social and are known for aggressively defending their feeding and nesting territories. Males perform elaborate courtship dive displays, ascending to significant heights before plummeting earthward.
One more reason to pay attention
The Anna's Hummingbird was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli, who was married to an amateur ornithologist.
Males perform a dramatic courtship dive, rising over 35 meters (114 feet) and producing a loud 'bark' sound with their tail feathers at the bottom of the dive.
This species has significantly expanded its range northward and eastward since the 1930s, partly due to the availability of introduced plants and feeders.
05 / An eye for the difference
Male Costa's has a purple gorget that extends into a flare on the sides of the neck, but lacks the iridescent crown of the male Anna's. Females are very similar and can be difficult to distinguish.
Rufous Hummingbirds have rufous or orange markings on their bodies, which are absent in Anna's Hummingbirds.
Similar to Rufous Hummingbirds, Allen's Hummingbirds also exhibit rufous or orange coloration on their flanks, unlike the mostly green and gray Anna's.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.