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Anna's Hummingbird

The Anna's Hummingbird is one of only 3 species of hummingbirds that are permanent residents of the United States and Canada. It is the most common of the western North America hummingbird species and the most common of the California hummingbirds.

We can be grateful that this hummingbird is remarkably adaptable. Some other species once native to California have become extinct there because of vanishing habitat.

The Anna's has instead expanded it's range both to the north and the east. They now migrate far north into western Canada during the summer months returning south to California in the winter. Large numbers make their way to southern Arizona in the summer before migrating back to California.

Common Name: Anna's Hummingbird (Interesting fact: Anna’s hummingbird was named after Anna Messena, the Duchess of Rival, a European Noblewoman in Italy during the 19th century).

Scientific Name: Calyste anna

Length: 4 inches (Interesting fact-The Anna’s is the largest hummingbird in California)

Wingspan: 5 1/4 inches

The Anna's Hummingbird

Distinctive Markings:

Male:

  • Brilliant iridescent rose-red head and throat(gorget) that extends onto the sides of its neck
  • Bill is long, straight and slender
  • White spot behind the eye
  • Green back
  • Greyish underparts
  • Dark wings and dark tail that is tipped with white

Immature Male:

  • Resembles the adult female.
  • Pale feather edges.
  • Heavier gorget.

Female:

  • Only a splash of red on her throat
  • Bill is long, straight and slender
  • Bright green to bronze green crown, a grey throat with red markings, a grey chest and belly
  • Tail feathers rounded and tipped with white

Immature Female:

  • Similar to the adult female.
  • Lacks iridescence in the gorget.

Sound: A series of harsh buzzy notes and chirps while feeding and a squeaky warbling song from a perch

Habitat: Backyard gardens and parks that provide feeders, nectar rich flowers and a water source, they will also inhabit the edges of a redwood forest and mountains up to 6000 feet.

Behavior: Does not migrate, sings during mating courtship, males perform a remarkable display called a display dive during courtship

Mating: The Anna's hummingbird is one of the earliest birds to breed in North America and sometimes lays eggs as early as December. The gooseberry plant, which blooms early, is one flower that is known to have co-evolved with them making this possible. It flowers early and some Anna's fiercely defend a territory with a good supply of gooseberry.

Nesting:

  • Usually lays 2 eggs per nest.
  • Has 2 to 3 broods each year.
  • Incubation is 16 days.
  • Nesting period is 20 days.
  • Eggs are white.

A few beautiful photos of the Anna's Hummingbird shared by our friend Lee Marcus

There are a wide range of other hummingbird flowers that are favorable to the Anna’s. In fact, at one time this species only bred in part of Northern California and Southern California.

Now, it breeds all along the west coast up into Canada because people have planted the flowering trees, flowers, and vines which are great nectar sources for the hummingbirds. Also, today so many people love hummingbirds and they supply hummingbird feeders to supplement the flowers.

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