Hummingbird Central



Anna's Hummingbird

Common Name
Anna's Hummingbird
Scientific Name
Calypte anna
Length
4"

Range & Migration

Common resident of the U.S. Pacific coast, west of the Sierra Mountains, frequently in coastal lowlands. Also found in desert areas in winter.

Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbirds in its range. The species breeds from Vancouver, Canada south to northern Baja California and east through southern Arizona.

This hardy bird is a permanent resident along the Pacific Coast, staying through the winter in many areas where no other hummingbirds are present.

Anna's hummingbirds are found along the western coast of North America, from southern Canada to northern Baja California, and inland to southern and central Arizona, extreme southern Nevada and southeastern Utah, and western Texas. They tend to be permanent residents within their range, and are very territorial. However, birds have been spotted far outside their range in such places as southern Alaska, Saskatchewan, New York, Florida, Louisiana and Newfoundland.

Anna's hummingbirds have the northernmost year-round range of any hummingbird. During cold temperatures, Anna's hummingbirds gradually gain weight during the day as they convert sugar to fat. In addition, hummingbirds with inadequate stores of body fat or insufficient plumage are able to survive periods of sub-freezing weather by lowering their metabolic rate and entering a state of torpor.

The Anna’s Hummingbird was named after Anna Massena, Duchess of Rivoli, a European noblewoman in Italy during the 19th century.

Characteristics and Identification

Only hummingbird with red on crown. Body is mostly green and gray, without any rufous or orange marks. Male's head and throat are a deep rose-red, with the color extending on to the sides of the neck. Female's throat usually shows red flecks. Underparts are grayish with varying amounts of green. They are characterized by a straight, shortish bill and a broad tail. When perched, wingtips meet the tip of their short tail.

Comparison of the Calliope and Anna's hummingbirds found in the Western US and Canada


 

Range Map of the Anna's Hummingbird

The map below shows the approximate range of the Anna's Hummingbird. Of course actual areas vary by year depending on weather-related conditions and other environmental factors.

Range map of the Anna's Hummingbird

 

Anna's Hummingbird in Southern California
Anna's Hummingbird in California
Source: Marilyn Meadows Photography - Facebook | Website | Fine Art America

Male Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird in California
Source: Marilyn Meadows Photography - Facebook | Website | Fine Art America

Female Anna's Hummingbird in San Francisco, California - May 2, 2017
Female Anna's Hummingbird in San Francisco, California - May 2, 2017
(Courtesy of Laura Milholland)

Anna's Hummingbird at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Anna's Hummingbird at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
(Courtesy of S Wright, 2017)


 

Female Anna's Hummingbird feeding her young, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia
Female Anna's Hummingbird feeding her young, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia
(Courtesy of S Wright, 2017)

Anna's Hummingbird at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Hummingbird Aviary
Anna's Hummingbird in Washinton state in winter
(Courtesy of Ken Mock, 2013)

 

Male Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Photo by and courtesy of Alan Schmierer