Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) Male at Feeder by Larry Jordan
The Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest North American breeding bird1. This male just arrived at my home over the weekend. They arrive on breeding grounds before the females and, according to their range map, they probably breed here in Shasta County. Click on photos for full sized images.
I haven’t seen a female yet this year but here is a photo of one I took back in April of 2010.
The adult male is the only North American hummingbird whose iridescent gorget is divided into separate magenta-red rays…
which can be elevated in elegant star-burst display against the white background of the throat.
I took a few shots of the male Calliope Hummer perched next to a male Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) seen in the background here for comparison.
and here…
that male Anna’s Hummingbird is looking a bit suspicious.
He’s moving closer.
This will give you an idea of the size difference between these two birds.
Doing some research for this post, I discovered that Calliope Hummingbirds typically build their nests in lodgepole, ponderosa, and Jeffrey pines, silver fir, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, western hemlock, western red-cedar, apple, and alder; characteristically under an overhanging branch1. You can see a photo of one of their nests here. Since I have Ponderosa Pine on my property I decided I will see if I can spot one of these little nests.
In the meantime, I have some more photos of the male Calliope Hummingbird after the sun hit the feeders.
By the way, your hummingbird feeders should be filled with one part plain white sugar…
to four parts boiling water, then cooled before putting out for the birds.
In warm weather they should be cleaned every couple of days. More about cleaning hummingbird feeders.
If you want to see the best photograph of a male Calliope Hummingbird displaying that I have ever seen, check out this photo by Wally Rufous! It will blow you away! And if you want to see more great bird photos, check out The Bird D’pot and Wild Bird Wednesday!
References: 1Birds of North America Online
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oh such a beautiful hummer. Those colourful neck feathers are amazing; super photographs Larry
Oh my goodness!!! This post, and these images leave me breathless!! I think my heart skipped a beat as soon as I saw the first image…and then, more beauties?!!! Incredible.
That display picture may be one of the best bird pictures I’ve seen – does not need to be restricted to a single species.
Just as all the posts of the waxwings stop the hummers take over – have a heart!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M – Melbourne.
the calliope is spectacular! wonderful views of him! thank you for sharing this tiny bird!
Just so Beautiful.
Great pictures! It’s amazing the colors that are made when the sun hits hummingbirds’ throats.
Be still my heart! A calliope and Anna together? Holy hummingbird! Fantastic images. Brilliant!!
Spectacular, Larry! I have yet to see a hummer in the yard this year. 🙁
Great comparison of the two species. How’d you get them to pose side by side? 🙂
These are gorgeous Larry, I hope you do have a nest in your yard this year!