Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
Tiny, compact hummingbird with short tail. Males are distinctive with streaked magenta throat. Females very similar to several other hummingbird species, especially Broad-tailed. Note small size, short tail with almost no rusty color, finely spotted throat, and thin white line above base of bill. Generally uncommon. Breeds near clearings and edges in mountainous regions. Migrates south to Mexico and descends to lower elevations in winter. Visits sugar water feeders.
Identification
The calliope is the smallest breeding bird found in Canada and the United States. An adult calliope hummingbird can measure 7–10 cm (2.8–3.9 in) in length, span 11 cm (4.3 in) across the wings and weigh 2 to 3 g (0.071 to 0.106 oz).<p>Calliope hummingbirds have glossy green on the back and crown with white underparts. The adult male has wine-red streaks on the gorget, green flanks, and a dark tail. When an adult male is competing for territory or females, the dark red feathers of its gorget distend outwards to create a more distinct appearance. Females and immatures have a pinkish wash on the flanks, dark streaks on the throat and a dark tail with white tips. The only similar birds are the rufous hummingbird and the Allen's hummingbird, but these birds are larger with more distinct and contrasting rufous markings on the tail and flanks, and longer central tail feathers.
Taxonomy
Genus: Selasphorus; Family: Trochilidae; Order: Apodiformes.
- Scientific name
- Selasphorus calliope
- Authority
- (Gould, 1847)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Selasphorus
Range and habitat
The breeding habitat of calliope hummingbird is varied among open shrub habitats and altitudes. Nesting usually occurs at higher altitudes in the Rocky Mountains. Nests have been observed from as low as 600 ft (180 m) in Oregon and Washington elevation to the tree line at over 11,000 ft (3,400 m). In Montana, the minimum elevation observed for breeding is 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Open montane forest, mountain meadows, and willow and alder thickets may variously serve as breeding grounds. During migration and winter, they also occur in chaparral, lowland brushy areas, deserts and semi-desert regions. They nest in western North America from southern British Columbia and Alberta south to Colorado and southern California. During winter, they move mainly through Arizona and New Mexico and northern Mexico, to winter in southwestern Mexico.
- Breeding range
- NA : sw Canada and w USA
- Non-breeding range
- w Mexico
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
New Zealand Pipit
Anthus novaeseelandiae
Endemic pipit found in open habitats from coastline to alpine shrublands. Scarce in intensively farmed areas. Prominent pale eyebrow with brown streaked upper body, pale underparts and brown streaking on breast. Distinctive 'tzweep' call given year round. Repeated high-pitched 'pip-it' territorial song heard mainly in August-February. Often seen walking rather than hopping, frequently flicking their long tail when they stop, or when perched. Can form loose flocks in autumn and winter. Very similar to introduced Eurasian Skylark. Note lack of large head crest, a more slender body, and distinctive habit of wagging its long tail up and down.
Yellow-browed Sparrow
Ammodramus aurifrons
Small, short-tailed sparrow with a yellow patch in front of the eye. Found in grassy edges of rivers, as well as in grassy patches in urban and agricultural areas. Hops and scurries along the ground between patches of grass. Similar to Grassland Sparrow, but Yellow-browed Sparrow is lighter tan with more yellow in the face. Listen for its high, buzzy song, “tic tic ZEEEE tic ZEEEE,” often sung from an exposed perch.
Rennell Whistler
Pachycephala feminina
A rather drab whistler, buffy tawny below and rich brown above. Throat paler. Bill relatively slender and pinkish-colored. Prefers dense primary or secondary forest, often in the understory. Voice includes a rhythmic mix of piping notes and thrush-like churring, unlike other whistlers.
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