Skip to main content
Close

Black Chinned X Anna's Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri X Calypte anna

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

37.978, -122.031

Field Notes

Description:

I believe that this is a migratory Costa's Hummingbird which has taken over the feeder. It is successful in keeping away the Rufous along with the Anna's!! . Seems like a monster right now!!
i am concerned about the little Anna's fledgling which really loved the feeder. Hope it finds another place to feed!!

Habitat:

Foothills.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (24)

seek identified this bird as a Lucifer hummingbird
Looks like a good fit for Anna's x Black-chinned to me. http://www.azfo.net/gallery/2011/html03/Black-chinned_X_Anna_s_Hummingbird_FlagHybrid_Wilder_15_April_2011.html http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/2011/04/mystery-to-everyone.html
Thnx again. One thing i can say for sure is that the color of the gorget is different from a typical Anna's . I have been photographing a lot of Anna's lately and this one does seem different.
I could probably believe a hybrid. I agree not everything matches up for a black-chinned, but I know for sure it isn't a Costa's. Maybe Anna's x Black-chinned?
It definitely could be a hybrid. It looks very similar to the first record of an Anna's in Delaware that was ruled a hybrid after it got its gorget in.
I guess I should add that there's one thing that's bothering me about it being a Costa's. The primaries should extend past the tail, which I'm pretty sure they don't. Black-chinned should also go past the tail feathers. btw, I'm using Kenn Kaufman's Field Guide to Advanced Birding to base my ID. (although I still can't really tell, with the wing problem)
The gorget too is not typical of Costa's.
I will leave it as unknown. Could be a hybrid?
I'm not convinced. In picture two you can fairly easily see the purple/pinkish color on the forehead. Also I'd think a Black-chinned would have darker flanks/belly that contrasted with the white right below the throat. Finally, Black-chinned Hummingbirds gorget is a much darker color, and the chin area is normally not colorful at all. I know I'm in the minority, but I have no doubt it's not a Black-chinned.
Thanks so much for the feedback Black chinned it is and that means it is a local..
I agree with Black-chinned. Even an immature male Costa's has the gorget along the side like Cindy mentioned. And Anna's has a pink to maroon gorget in sunlight, this one is very clearly purple.
I'm leaning toward Black-chinned or Anna's if you're sure there was color on the top of the head as well. The gorget isn't long on the sides like a Costa's. Look at Costa's here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Costas_Hummingbird/id
jim, I replaced the last pic with a similar pic.
It's not a Black-chinned. It's definitely a Costa's/Anna's. I honestly think they're different birds, the last picture showing an Anna's and the rest showing a Costa's.
Livan,doesn't pic 2 seem like a Costa's?
Livan,a black chinned has a strip of iridescence only. This bird had an entire gorget which was iridescent.
Could it be a Black-chinned Hummingbird http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-chinned_Hummingbird/id
Ah, if that's the case then it looks fine for a Costa's.
3 species of hummingbirds have been at the feeder in a dispute. It attracted a red tailed hawk and a coopers ,who came to check what the racket was about. I feel that the last one could have been another bird. Little confusing at this minute. Maybe i will delete the last pic.
Thanks so much Jim bob. I have never seen a more feistier bird!
Hmmm... all but the last shot seem good for Costa's. The last one is making me think Anna's x Costa's though. I guess it could be a young male Costa's, though.
Photographed
PublishedMarch 30, 2014

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon