Species · GBIF taxon 7597244
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliopeAlso known as Calliope's Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding birds in North America, weighing no more than a penny yet undertaking a massive annual migration of over five thousand miles. Males sport a striking throat gorget of long, magenta-pink feathers that they flare out like a starburst during courtship displays. They nest in high-altitude mountain forests, often placing their tiny, lichen-covered cups directly on pinecones or branches beneath overhanging needles.
MigratoryTinyColorful
Licensed referenceDan Pancamo / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Nectar and small insects
- family
- Trochilidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, climate change affecting flower bloom timing, and pesticide use
- life Span
- 3 to 6 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Feeder Placement: Hang sugar-water feeders near shrubs to provide cover from larger, aggressive hummingbirds.
- Planting Native Flowers: Grow tubular red and purple flowers like penstemon and columbine to attract them.
- Quiet Observation: Sit quietly near nectar sources; they are surprisingly bold when feeding.