Bird
Costa's Hummingbird
Calypte costaeAlso known as Costa Hummingbird
Male Costa's hummingbirds feature a striking, iridescent purple crown and gorget that flares out along the sides of the neck like a vibrant mustache. These compact birds excel in arid landscapes, breeding in early spring when desert plants bloom before the scorching summer heat sets in. During courtship, males execute high-speed u-shaped dive displays, producing a high-pitched whistling sound generated by their tail feathers.
DesertNectarivoreMigratory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFloral nectar, Small flies, Spiders
Predators
- Praying mantises
- Greater roadrunners
- American kestrels
ThreatsHabitat loss, extreme droughts, urban development, and feral cats
HabitatsDeserts, chaparral, coastal scrub, arid gardens, and shrublands
Life span3–7 years
Classification
- FamilyTrochilidae
- SpeciesCalypte costae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Feeder setup: Hang nectar feeders in shady spots near native desert shrubbery.
- Observation timing: Watch for dramatic courtship dives during late winter and early spring blooms.
Frequent Companion Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Host Plant (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Carnahan · cc-by
Close Relative Robert McMorran, United States Fish and Wildlife Service / Public domain · cc0
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