The Stunning Beauty of Anna’s Hummingbird: A Tiny Bird with Astonishing Colors

Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) captivates with its stunning array of colors, making it one of the most remarkable animals in the avian world. This small bird, resembling a ping pong ball in size, belongs to the Trochilidae family and is indigenous to the western coastal regions of North America.

Draped in a resplendent bronze-green plumage on its back, with a delicate gray chest and abdomen, Anna’s hummingbird takes its allure a step further with the male showcasing a lustrous crimson-red throat.

This exquisite avian species is distinguished as the sole North American hummingbird adorned with a red crown. Although females possess iridescent red feathers around their necks, they are smaller and less vibrant than those of the males.

Anna’s hummingbirds inhabit various territories ranging from southern Canada to Baja California, extending inland to southern and central Arizona. Fiercely territorial, they vigilantly defend their domains.

These charming creatures are commonly found in residential areas, parks, eucalyptus groves, wooded riverbanks, savannas, and coastal scrublands. They eagerly visit hummingbird feeders and are attracted to flowering plants, including cultivated species in gardens.

Anna’s hummingbirds predominantly feed on flower nectar, utilizing their elongated tongues. However, they also consume insects they come across on vegetation.

The breeding season for Anna’s hummingbirds spans from December to June. They construct their nests using plant fibers and camouflage them with lichen. After an incubation period of approximately two weeks, the eggs hatch.

Notably, Anna’s hummingbird population is estimated at 1.5 million birds, which is considered stable with no immediate threats. They do not form lifelong bonds, even within a single breeding season. It is likely that both males and females mate with multiple partners. Only the females assume responsibility for nurturing the offspring.

Attracting these captivating birds is relatively easy. Placing a hummingbird feeder and preparing hummingbird food by mixing one part sugar with four parts water can entice them. It is advisable to avoid using honey or food coloring, as some experts believe it can hinder the birds’ digestion.