Anna’s Hummingbird

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD – (Calypte anna) 

Conservation Status: Least concerned
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calypte
Species: C. anna

The Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents to Washington, Oregon and California in the Western United States.

They live along the western coastline of North America, starting from southern Canada all the way to northern Baja California.

Anna’s hummingbird, scientifically known as Calypte anna, gets its common name from Anna Masséna, the Duchess of Rivoli. 

Male
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

In North America, male Anna’s hummingbirds are the only species of hummingbirds with a red crown. Their predominant colors are magenta, gray, and green.
The male gorget and crown are iridescent magenta and they are very vivid and showy.

They weigh between 2.4 and 4.5 grams and have lengths ranging from 3.5 to 4.3 inches.

The metal plate that shields the wearer’s throat during combat to prevent injuries is the inspiration behind the name of the gorget on a male hummingbird.

This name is acceptable and fitting to characterize the physical characteristics of male hummingbirds, since they fight fiercely for their own territory.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Gorgets Explained

Female
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

The female Anna’s hummingbird has a sleek, metallic green back and pale grayish-white underparts.
Unlike males, she lacks an iridescent crown and gorget, though some may have faint pink speckles on the throat. 

She has a slender, slightly curved black bill and a greenish tail with white tips, aiding in camouflage while nesting.

Female Anna’s hummingbirds raise their young with no help from the males.
See my article:
Hummingbird Parents: (Mating to Nesting)

Juvenile
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds resemble adult females until males develop their magenta red gorget.
They have muted green backs, pale gray underparts, and shorter bills.
Juveniles explore feeders and flowers as they learn to forage.

Juvenile Anna’s hummingbirds molt into their adult plumage as they mature, developing the full iridescent throat patch (gorget) and brighter coloration in males, or retaining the subtler tones in females.

As juveniles molt into their first full set of feathers, the fluffy white undertail coverts become visible. These feathers are a distinguishing feature and are often more prominent due to their soft texture.

Note: This Anna’s hummingbird may be a youngster going through the awkward adolescent years, or it may be in the process of molting.
Notice his fluffy white undertail coverts are visible.

Note: The magenta head feathers of this juvenile male Anna’s hummingbird are starting to show at his temple and a hint of color is beginning to appear on his gorget.

Also, notice his fluffy white undertail coverts become visible and will disappear as he ages.

Baby
Anna’s Hummingbirds:

Baby Anna’s hummingbirds are tiny, naked, and helpless at birth, with closed eyes and no feathers. 

As they grow, they develop pin feathers, which are small, tubular sheaths that encase the growing feathers. These pin feathers start appearing on their wings, back, and head as they mature.
Then their green plumage starts to show.

Fed by regurgitated nectar and insects from their mother, they fledge the nest at about 3 weeks.

See my article:
Baby Hummingbirds: (Egg to Fledgling)

Note: The pin feathers are stiff and dark, giving the nestlings a spiky appearance.
Over time, the sheaths break open, revealing soft juvenile feathers underneath.

Hear the sounds of the Anna’s hummingbird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology link).

Anna’s hummingbirds enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and fairly wet winters.

During the mating season, Male Anna’s hummingbirds are known for their impressive diving displays creating vocal and tail feather vibrations to attract females.
During courtship, they perform captivating dives lasting about 12 seconds (from start to finish). 

See my article:
Hummingbird Dance: 5 Interpretive Explanations

Anna’s hummingbirds hybridize and readily crossbreed with other hummingbird species, such as the Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Rufous hummingbirds. 

Anna’s hummingbirds protect their territory with elaborate dives targeted towards predatory birds and even towards people they perceive to be threatening.
See my article:
Why Hummingbirds Chase Each Other: Is it Friend or Foe?

Anna’s hummingbirds are remarkably resilient and have the ability to tolerate and survive cold weather, unlike many other hummingbird species that migrate to warmer climates. 

They overwinter primarily along the Pacific Northwest and along the Pacific Coast of the United States (Washington, Oregon, and California).

The oldest male Anna’s hummingbird known to exist was 8 years and 2 months old when he was captured and released during a banding expedition in Arizona.

See my article:
3 Reasons Why Hummingbirds Are Banded