Costa's Hummingbird

Least Concern

Calypte costae

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About

The Costa's Hummingbird is a small, desert-dwelling hummingbird known for the male's striking iridescent amethyst-purple gorget and crown. It is adapted to arid environments and is a common sight in the southwestern United States and Baja California.

Size & lifespan

Length: 7.5-9 cm (3.0-3.5 in)
Wingspan: 10.8-11.4 cm (4.25-4.5 in)
Weight: 2.3-3.5 g (0.08-0.12 oz)
Lifespan: Up to 8 years in the wild, typically 3-5 years
Diet: Nectar, small insects, and spiders

Physical characteristics

Plumage: Males have an iridescent amethyst-purple gorget (throat patch) that flares out at the sides, extending to a pointed 'mustache' on the sides of the neck, and a matching purple crown. Their back is metallic green, and their underparts are whitish with green flanks. Females are duller, with a metallic green back, whitish underparts, and a small amount of iridescent purple on the throat, if any. Both sexes have a relatively short tail.
Beak shape: Long, slender, and slightly decurved black bill.
Eye color: Dark brown
Leg color: Dark gray to black
Distinguishing features: The male's distinctive amethyst-purple gorget and crown are unmistakable. Females are more challenging but can be identified by their small size, relatively short tail, and habitat preference.
Juvenile appearance: Juvenile males resemble adult females but may show a few iridescent purple feathers on the throat as they mature. Juvenile females are very similar to adult females.
Seasonal changes: No significant seasonal plumage changes. The iridescence of the male's gorget and crown is always present.
Sexual dimorphism: Pronounced. Males are brightly colored with iridescent purple on the head and throat. Females are duller, primarily green above and whitish below, lacking the extensive iridescent purple.

How to identify

1
Male Gorget and Crown
Look for the brilliant, iridescent amethyst-purple gorget that extends to a pointed 'mustache' on the sides of the neck and covers the entire crown. This is the most definitive field mark for males.
2
Size and Shape
Costa's Hummingbirds are small, compact hummingbirds with a relatively short tail and a slightly decurved bill.
3
Female Plumage
Females are metallic green above and whitish below. Look for the absence of significant rufous on the flanks or tail, and a relatively plain throat, sometimes with a few iridescent purple flecks.
4
Habitat
Their preference for arid, desert, and chaparral environments can be a strong clue, especially when distinguishing from species that prefer more humid or forested areas.
5
Vocalizations
Listen for the male's distinctive, high-pitched, squeaky-toy-like whistle song, especially during courtship displays.

Habitat & range

Biomes: Deserts, arid scrublands, chaparral, dry washes, and canyons.
Geographic range: Primarily found in the southwestern United States (southern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, southwestern Utah) and Baja California, Mexico. Some populations extend into central Arizona and southern New Mexico.
Elevation range: Sea level up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), occasionally higher.
Preferred environments: Arid and semi-arid habitats with sparse vegetation, including cacti, agave, ocotillo, and other desert flowering plants. They also frequent suburban gardens with appropriate nectar sources.

Behavior

Activity time: Diurnal, most active during daylight hours.
Feeding habits: Feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of desert flowers, including chuparosa, ocotillo, agave, and cacti. They also hawk for small insects and spiders, especially during breeding season to provide protein for young. They are often seen visiting hummingbird feeders.
Social behavior: Generally solitary, except during courtship and breeding. Males are highly territorial, especially around prime feeding areas and nesting sites.
Flight pattern: Characterized by rapid, agile flight with a distinctive 'buzzing' sound from their wings. Males perform elaborate dive displays during courtship.
Migration pattern: Some populations are resident year-round, particularly in southern California and Baja California. Northern and higher-elevation populations are migratory, moving south to warmer areas for winter, often into Mexico. Migration timing is often tied to the blooming of desert flowers.
Territoriality: Males are fiercely territorial, defending feeding territories and nesting areas from other hummingbirds and even larger insects. They will chase intruders with aggressive vocalizations and aerial displays.

Song & calls

Song: The male's song is a high-pitched, thin, and prolonged whistle, often described as a 'squeaky-toy' sound, 'tseee-tseee-tseee-tseee-tseee-tsew'. It is often given from a perch or during courtship dives.
Call: Common calls include sharp 'chip' or 'tchip' notes, often given when agitated or during territorial disputes. A rapid series of 'tchip' notes may be heard during chases.
When they vocalize: Males sing most frequently during the breeding season to attract mates and defend territory. Calls are given year-round as needed.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season: Typically January to May, but can vary depending on rainfall and flower availability, sometimes extending into summer.
Nesting habits: Nests are tiny, cup-shaped structures built by the female, usually 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) above ground in shrubs, small trees, or cacti. They are constructed from plant down, spider silk, and lichen, camouflaged to blend with the surroundings.
Clutch size: 2 eggs
Egg description: Two tiny, white, elliptical eggs, approximately 12 x 8 mm.
Incubation period: 15-18 days, incubated solely by the female.
Fledging period: 20-23 days after hatching, young are fed by the female.
Parental care: Only the female builds the nest, incubates the eggs, and feeds the young. Males play no role in parental care after mating.

Where to find

Desert Botanical Gardens

These gardens often cultivate native desert plants that attract Costa's Hummingbirds, providing excellent viewing opportunities.

Arid Scrublands and Chaparral

Explore natural desert habitats, especially areas with flowering cacti, ocotillo, and chuparosa.

Suburban Gardens

Gardens in their range that feature native desert plants or hummingbird feeders are frequently visited.

Canyons and Washes

Dry washes and canyons in desert regions can provide shelter and food sources.

Field tips

Look for Movement. Hummingbirds are constantly moving. Scan flowering plants and feeders for their rapid, darting flight.
Listen for Sounds. The male's song and the buzzing of their wings can often alert you to their presence before you see them.
Use Binoculars. Their small size and quick movements make binoculars essential for detailed observation and identification.
Visit During Peak Bloom. Timing your visit to desert areas during the peak flowering season will increase your chances of seeing them.
Set up Feeders. If you live within their range, installing a hummingbird feeder with a 4:1 sugar-to-water solution can attract them to your yard.

Similar species

Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Male Anna's has a rose-red gorget and crown, whereas male Costa's has amethyst-purple. Female Anna's is slightly larger and often shows more extensive green on the flanks and a more prominent white line behind the eye. Female Costa's is generally smaller and paler below.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

Male Black-chinned has a black chin with an iridescent violet-purple band below it, lacking the extensive purple crown and flared gorget of the Costa's. Female Black-chinned has a longer, more noticeably decurved bill than female Costa's and often shows a faint dusky streaking on the throat.

Calliope Hummingbird

Selasphorus calliope

The Calliope is smaller and has a shorter bill. Male Calliope has a streaky magenta gorget that does not extend to the crown or flare out like the Costa's. Female Calliope has a shorter tail and often shows rufous on the flanks and at the base of the tail feathers, which is absent in Costa's.

Quick facts

Primary Habitat:: Deserts and arid scrublands
Male Gorget Color:: Amethyst-purple
Diet:: Nectar, small insects
Nest Builder:: Female only
Conservation Status:: Least Concern

Fun facts

The male Costa's Hummingbird performs a spectacular 'J-shaped' courtship dive, often ending with a high-pitched whistle at the bottom of the dive.
They are highly adapted to desert life, able to enter torpor (a state of reduced metabolic activity) to conserve energy during cold nights or periods of food scarcity.
Their iridescent gorget and crown are not pigmented but are structural colors created by the microscopic arrangement of feathers that reflect light.
Costa's Hummingbirds are important pollinators for many desert plants, including cacti and agave.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Calypte
Species: Calypte costae

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