Costa’s Hummingbird

(Calypte costae)

eBird gives this description for the Costa’s Hummingbird:  Small hummingbird of desert habitats in southwestern U.S., western Mexico, and Baja. Compact and short-tailed with a slightly drooping bill. Male has a brilliant purple crown and throat that extends down to a point on each side; can appear black in poor lighting. Females are plainer with greenish back and dingy grayish underparts. Note pale eyebrow that wraps around the dark cheek, droopy bill, and dumpy, short-tailed shape to help separate from similar hummingbirds (especially Anna’s and Black-chinned). Wanders from the desert after breeding, visiting more varied habitats including backyards with sugar water feeders. Listen for very high-pitched song.

All About Birds offers this additional descriptive information for the Costa’s Hummingbird:  Bright purple feathers drape across the throat of male Costa’s Hummingbirds, sticking out wildly to each side, like an overgrown mustache. Males show off their purple colors for females, which are dressed in green with a pale eyebrow and a whitish belly. The male loops around her and dives in broad U-shaped patterns while give a high-pitched whistle. These hummingbirds are at home in the baking heat of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts as well as in the cooler air of coastal scrub.

I saw, and photographed, my first Costa’s Hummingbird on Saturday, August 6,  2022, in the late afternoon, early evening at the Ash Canyon  Bird Sanctuary near Sierra Vista, Arizona.  I had finished my guided tours with the 2022 Southwest Wings Birding Festival, and made one final stop at Ash Canyon upon the recommendation of my first guide, Richard Fray (who sits on the Board of Ash Canyon).  The Costa’s Hummingbird that I watched was a female.  To the best of my knowledge, I saw none of the colorful males–  maybe next time!  To see my blog post that includes my visit to Ash Canyon and the Costa’s Hummingbird, look here.