Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Hardier than many hummingbirds, Anna's Hummingbirds are year-round residents on the Pacific Coast of the United States.  They are very common in their normal range, and have adapted well to a human presence.  They have expanded their range in recent decades, especially in and around towns and cities where gardens and other planted flowers provide a ready source of nectar.  Members of the Calypte family of hummingbirds, they can be recognized by the uniquely reddish colored gorget which extends relatively far down the side of their necks, and an extension of the reddish feathering on the crown and head.  While Anna's Hummingbirds do occasionally wander far to the east and north of their normal range, the species was unknown in South Dakota until a single male specimen was documented in October 2008 in Rapid City.

Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats with suitable flowering plants, primarily in lower-elevation areas (although sometimes in higher elevation mountain meadows as well).  Potential habitats include open woodlands, riparian areas, arid shrublands and brush, and city gardens and parks.

Diet: Typical hummingbird diet, consisting largely of nectar, and when available, small insects that are largely caught in flight.

Behavior: One of the most vocal hummingbirds, with male Anna's Hummingbirds singing a buzzy song during the breeding season.  Males also have a courtship display, consisting of a flight upwards, followed by a steep and rapid dive towards the female, and ending as the male pulls up in front of the female, making a loud popping sound. 

Nesting: Non-breeder in South Dakota.

Song: Males sing a thin, weak buzzy song of several syllables. They also have a very high thin thit call.

Migration: Generally a permanent resident in its normal range along the Pacific Coast.  Some birds in the eastern part of their nesting range (such as those in Arizona) move westward towards the coast after breeding.  A few individuals will wander far to the east and north, primarily in the fall.

Similar Species: Costa's Hummingbirds, another of the genus Calypte, have a similar plumage pattern, with an even longer extended gorget. 

Status: Numbers and range have both increased in recent decades as the species becomes adapted to a human presence.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Anna's Hummingbird

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Anna's Hummingbird

3) eNature.com: Anna's Hummingbird

Photo Information: September 7th, 2006 - Red Rocks State Park near Sedona, Arizona - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Anna's Hummingbird photos.