Birdsong field guide
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
A medium-sized, hardy hummingbird of the Pacific Coast, known for the brilliant iridescent rose-pink crown and gorget of the male.
What it sounds like
A complex, scratchy series of metallic 'chip' notes and a squeaky, sandpaper-like song.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- The male performs a dramatic 100-foot aerial dive, ending with a high-pitched 'pop' sound produced by its tail feathers.
- Unlike most North American hummingbirds, many populations are non-migratory and remain in their range year-round.
- They have a higher body temperature than most birds, approximately 107 degrees Fahrenheit, but can enter torpor to conserve energy.
- They are the only hummingbird species regularly found in northern latitudes during the winter, aided by urban garden plantings.
- During courtship, the male vibrates his wings and tail so rapidly they create a shimmering visual effect around his iridescent head.
Habitat
Chaparral, oak woodland, coastal scrub, and suburban gardens with nectar-rich flowers and feeders.
Range
Western coast of North America, from southern Alaska and British Columbia down to Baja California.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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