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Calliope and Anna’s Male Hummingbirds at the Feeder

Calliope Hummingbird Male

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.

Calliope Hummingbird Range Map

I haven’t seen a female yet this year but here is a photo of one I took back in April of 2010.

Calliope Hummingbird Female

The adult male is the only North American hummingbird whose iridescent gorget is divided into separate magenta-red rays…

Calliope Hummingbird Male

which can be elevated in elegant star-burst display against the white background of the throat.

Calliope Hummingbird Male

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.

Calliope Hummingbird Male and Anna's Hummingbird Male

and here…

Calliope Hummingbird Male and Anna's Hummingbird Male

that male Anna’s Hummingbird is looking a bit suspicious.

Calliope Hummingbird and Anna's Hummingbird Males

He’s moving closer.

Calliope and Anna's Hummingbird Males

This will give you an idea of the size difference between these two birds.

Calliope and Anna's Male Hummingbirds

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.

Calliope Hummingbird Male

By the way, your hummingbird feeders should be filled with one part plain white sugar…

Calliope Hummingbird Male

to four parts boiling water, then cooled before putting out for the birds.

Calliope Hummingbird Male

In warm weather they should be cleaned every couple of days. More about cleaning hummingbird feeders.

Calliope Hummingbird Male

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

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Carole M. April 11, 2013, 12:47 am

    oh such a beautiful hummer. Those colourful neck feathers are amazing; super photographs Larry

  • Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' April 11, 2013, 5:31 am

    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.

  • Stewart M April 11, 2013, 5:42 am

    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.

  • TexWisGirl April 11, 2013, 7:15 am

    the calliope is spectacular! wonderful views of him! thank you for sharing this tiny bird!

  • Neil April 11, 2013, 5:14 pm

    Just so Beautiful.

  • Sam Brunson April 11, 2013, 5:34 pm

    Great pictures! It’s amazing the colors that are made when the sun hits hummingbirds’ throats.

  • Gail April 11, 2013, 6:17 pm

    Be still my heart! A calliope and Anna together? Holy hummingbird! Fantastic images. Brilliant!!

  • Wally April 11, 2013, 6:27 pm

    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? 🙂

  • Mia McPherson April 14, 2013, 5:05 am

    These are gorgeous Larry, I hope you do have a nest in your yard this year!