This Little Bird Is No Larger Than A Ping Pong Ball, But Its Amazing Colors Make It One Of The Most Remarkable Animals
Anna’s hummingbird may be tiny, but it does not look subtle. With its bronze-green back, pale underside, and the male’s bright crimson throat, this western North American bird stands out the moment it appears near a feeder or flower bed.
These hummingbirds are common in gardens, parks, and coastal scrub, and they are known for guarding territory with surprising intensity. They feed mostly on nectar, but insects are part of the menu too, and their breeding season runs from winter into early summer.
That mix of color, speed, and attitude makes Anna’s hummingbird hard to ignore. Here’s the full story.
Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird with a red crown in North America
Thanks to their wonderful colors, they look more like flying jewelry than birds
Colors on females are more toned down
This bird is native to the western coastal regions of North America.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are quite small. Measuring 3.9 inches in length, with a wingspan of 4.7 inches and weighing 0.1-0.2 oz., they are a blur of motion as they hover before flowers searching for nectar and insects.
However, they are large compared to other hummingbirds. Their courtship dives are wonderful to watch.
"A male flies as high as 130 feet in the air and then plummets toward the ground (and the watching female), where he produces a unique short high-pitched noise made by air whipping through his tail feathers.
As courtship progresses, the male chases a receptive female, who leads him toward her nest site and perches again. The male then performs a 'shuttle display,' where he swings back and forth about a foot above the female, keeping his body horizontal and his head down toward her, often singing an intense song."
Their courtship display is doing a lot of work here.
Speaking of bold head color, this masked cardinal’s red head and black-and-white coat are pure contrast.
They are quite territorial
They primarily feed on flower nectar using their long tongues but will also eat insects when the opportunity arises
The breeding season lasts from December to June
Their population is estimated at 1.5 million
Listen to them singing here:
Their population is estimated at 1.5 million birds, which is considered stable and not under any direct threat. They don’t mate for life, not even for an entire season.
Both sexes likely mate with more than one partner per season. Only the females care for the young.
They are easy to attract. Set out a hummingbird feeder, then mix your hummingbird food using one part sugar to four parts water.
Don't use honey or food coloring, as these can be harder for birds to digest.
A backyard feeder is usually enough to bring them in.
Want another tiny marvel, check out the bee hummingbird that looks unreal.
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