Under 3 inches long, the bumblebee hummingbird is arguably one of the smallest birds in North America. They’re occasionally observed in Southern California and across the U.S. Habitat Range: They reside primarily in the highlands of South-Central Mexico to Central America, and they even reach as far as the Andes Mountains in northern Venezuela and Bolivia. Key Characteristics: Bright violet-purple cheeks on a brilliant green body indicate the green violet-ear hummingbird. Females are a bit smaller than the 4½-inch male, with a narrower violet chin band and slightly duller plumage. The northern subspecies has a large violet central breast spot and violet-blue band along the chin (the “ear”), while the subspecies from Costa Rica and south lacks the violet breast spot. They have a broad, slightly notched dark blue tail band. Costa’s HummingbirdĪlso known as Mexican violet-ears, the green violet-ear hummingbird is recognized by its overall deep green iridescent plumage contrasted by dark violet cheeks and breast patches. They winter in Mexico and Central America. Habitat Range: They breed in mountainous regions of Southeastern Arizona and Southwest New Mexico, and have occasionally been observed in other states and as far north as Kansas, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Key Characteristics: Identifiable by their larger size and the male’s brilliant blue-green throats, the magnificent hummingbird isn’t shy around humans. Both have white stripes behind their eyes. Their heads are black with a violet crown.įemales have bronze-green upperparts and dull gray underparts, with faint streaking on gray throats. Males have stunningly iridescent bright blue-green gorgets with a glossy bronze-green chest and upperparts. The second-largest hummer north of Mexico at 4½ to 5½ inches, the magnificent hummingbird is considered friendly because it often stays close to humans within its feeding habitat. The magnificent hummingbird, or refulgent hummingbird, was formerly known as Rivoli’s hummingbird. They’ve also been spotted in Southern Alaska, Saskatchewan, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Newfoundland. Habitat Range: They can be found year-round along the West Coast from Northern Baja California to Southern Canada, and as far east as Central Arizona, extreme Southern Nevada, Southeastern Utah, and West Texas. Key Characteristics: Easily identified by its red crown, Anna’s hummingbirds have short straight bills and broad tails. They are territorial and more carnivorous than other hummers. They often “chip” and “pip” when perched, and make a high-pitched raspy buzz. When perched, the wingtips of Anna’s hummingbirds meet the tips of their tails. Both have straight, short bills and broad tails. Females have green crowns and red flecks on their throats. Males have rosy-red heads and throats, with color extending to the sides of their necks. The body is predominantly green and gray without orange or rufous marks. © 2017 Tune In to Nature.The only hummingbird with a red crown, Anna’s hummingbird also has the northernmost year-round range of any hummer. Budney.īirdNote’s theme music was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler. Available now.īird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. This new book is a photographic guide to these elusive bird groups. Support for BirdNote comes from Bloomsbury Wildlife, publisher of Antpittas and Gnateaters. Writers for BirdNote include Bob Sundstrom, Dennis Paulson, Gordon Orians, Ellen Blackstone, Rick Wright, GrrlScientist, Todd Peterson, and Bryan Pfeiffer. And during a courtship flight, they beat up to 200 times per second! The male’s entire head and throat shine in fiery pinkish-red, and blazing red feathers point like spikes down the sides of the breast. In flight, the Bee Hummingbird’s tiny wings beat 80 times a second. Her eggs are about the size of a coffee bean. The female builds a nest barely an inch across. That’s half the weight of our backyard hummers, like the Ruby-throated or Rufous. They weigh less than two grams - less than a dime. Bee Hummingbirds are often mistaken for bees. It measures a mere two and a quarter inches long. The Bee Hummingbird, which is found only in Cuba, is an absolute miniature, even among hummingbirds. There, hovering at the flowers - if you squint hard enough - you’ll find the Bee Hummingbird. Once on the island, your best bet for tracking down the tiny wonder is to visit a forest edge hung heavily with vines and bromeliads. Would you like to see the world’s smallest bird? Then you’ll need to travel to Cuba.
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