Anna’s Hummingbird

Quick Take

• Anna's Hummingbird males pull off a courtship maneuver that subjects them to more G-force than any other known living thing on Earth, a feat that has nothing to do with flight speed. See the diving behavior →
• Their legs look perfectly normal, but they're nearly useless in a way that will change how you picture hummingbirds perching.
• The female builds her nest using a technique so unusual that the structure forms around her own body while she sits. See how nests are built →
• Anna's Hummingbirds survive winters in cooler climates through a nightly biological trick that most birds simply can't perform. See the metabolism trick →

Anna’s Hummingbird is one of three species that are permanent residents of Canada and the United States. They are considered the fastest and some of the largest of all Hummingbirds. With a growing population and ever-increasing non-breeding range, Anna’s Hummingbird can be found from Canada to Mexico. Anna’s Hummingbird’s tiny legs neither help them walk nor hop. Instead, they’re utilized for scooting side to side when perched.

Anna’s Hummingbird Amazing Facts

• Anna’s Hummingbird was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.
• Anna’s Hummingbirds are one of the most common hummingbirds found along the Pacific Coast.
• For its size, Anna’s Hummingbird performs the fastest aerial diving compared to any other known bird.
• The average lifespan for Anna’s Hummingbirds in the wild is 3 to 5 years, though some individuals can live up to 8 or 9 years.
• The only North American species of hummingbirds with red crowns are Anna’s Hummingbirds.
• Anna’s Hummingbird eggs are roughly the size of a jellybean.

Where To Find Anna’s Hummingbird

You will mainly find Anna’s Hummingbird along the Pacific Coast, which includes California and Oregon, where they breed; however, they also reside as far south as New Mexico. They change their location with the season and will move to a higher altitude during the summer months and to lower elevations during winter. If you want to catch a glimpse of this speedy bird, it’s as simple as supplying sugar water in hummingbird feeders or providing flowers, such as Azaleas and Honeysuckle, that will provide the nectar they need. They will often nest in trees or shrubs and can often be seen in gardens, parks, and backyards. 

Nests

The diameter of Anna’s Hummingbird nest is approximately the size of a ping-pong ball. The female will construct the nest around her while sitting on a tree branch high off the ground. Her construction materials usually include spider webs, small feathers, leaves, and vines. Additionally, the female will embellish the outside of the nest with moss or lichens, which may have been taken from another nest. 

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of Anna’s hummingbird is Calypte anna. The word “Calypte” is most likely derived from the Ancient Greek kaluptre, meaning “head-dress” or “woman’s veil.”

Appearance

Male Anna’s Hummingbirds have a vibrant, red rose-colored iridescent gorget. In contrast, their body is mostly grey, their backs are bronze and green. Their tail feathers are white-tipped, with a metallic green center and exterior tail feathers transitioning to black. Both juvenile males and females will share the same dull brown body with green and bronze backs. Once adolescent males reach sexual maturity, after a year, they will shed their juvenile plumage and begin to display the vibrant colors they’re known for. Additionally, their crown may appear with dark shades of orange, pink, brown, and green.

Behavior

Anna’s Hummingbirds are very territorial and will fiercely protect the area where they feed and sleep. The threat of losing their resources emboldens their instincts, and they’ll often be seen diving at anything that enters their territory. Anna’s Hummingbirds have the northernmost year-round range of any hummingbird, with most populations remaining resident throughout the year. Additionally, they can slow their metabolism down significantly at night compared to their normal daily rate; this ability allows them to live in cooler areas. 

Habitat

You can easily find Anna’s Hummingbirds along the Pacific Coast in states like Oregon, California, and New Mexico. They often reside in open woodlands, parks, and backyards; however, they can be found anywhere they can establish a safe territory with access to water or nectar-feeding plants. During the breeding season, they will change climates and move to higher altitudes, whereas in winter, they’ll reside in lower elevations. The female will prefer wooded areas with trees such as oak and evergreens. The males will prefer a more open setting, like a hillside or canyon. Despite being introduced in the nineteenth century, you can often find Anna’s Hummingbirds in Eucalyptus trees, enjoying nectar from their vibrant flowers.  

Diet

The main source of food for hummingbirds is nectar from flowering plants, such as gooseberry and eucalyptus, as well as sugar water from feeders and tree sap. They access the nectar by inserting their long and slender bill into the flower and using their tongue to extract the nectar.  Surprisingly, they also feed on many small insects and spiders, such as leafhoppers and midges. Depending on the time of year, certain insects may be more abundant than others. 

Predators and Threats

Due to their small size, maneuverability, and speed, they can often avoid predators like cats. However, birds such as Western Scrub-Jays and Curve-Billed Thrashers do pose a threat. In response to these predators, Anna’s Hummingbird has adapted and will now bombard the predator while rapidly beating her wings and attacking their head and back. Another way to avoid potential predators is to feed from higher food sources, such as flowers in trees or hanging feeders. With proven adaptability and a strong breeding population, there is little threat from humans or the destruction of their habitat.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Male Anna’s Hummingbirds perform remarkable aerial diving as part of their courtship and attempt to attract a female. While diving, they can reach speeds over 60 mph and can abruptly stop and pull up to avoid colliding with the ground. Research has found that they endure the equivalent of more than ten times the force of gravity, more than any other known living thing on Earth. The female Anna’s Hummingbird will raise the chicks alone and will only come together with a male for mating.

The mating season begins in November and lasts until May, during which time the female can produce up to two broods. Each brood usually consists of two eggs, which she will produce a day apart. The female will incubate the eggs for two to three weeks before they hatch, and continue to feed and care for them for another three to four weeks. Chicks will have all their down feathers within their first week and will venture from the nest within a month. They will initially remain close to their mother; however, within two weeks, they will be fully independent. 

Population

The current estimated population for Anna’s Hummingbird is 9.6 million, and they are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their numbers are steadily increasing and will continue to grow as their range also expands.