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Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Photo by ShawnLaBrier
Published on Project Noah
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34.1307, -106.901

Field Notes

Description:

I've been hearing this hummingbird for about a month. It sounds like a nestling, really high pitched squeaking call. I finally discovered it was this hummingbird making the noise. It appears to be somewhat bigger than the usual hummingbirds I get, ~ 4". It has a green back, greenish breast, throat appears to be dark gray, straight beak, and a small fork in the tail. This is the first Anna's I've ever seen here. They aren't supposed to come this far north. The times they are a'changin.'

Habitat:

Rural scrub desert bordering riparian

Notes:

Despite the cold (nighttime 20-40 degrees) it hasn't left to continue its migration. It may be injured in some way, but still seems to fly okay.

Reference Links:

Anna's Hummingbird, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species ID Suggestions

Anna's Hummingbird

Calypte anna

Reference Link
Liam
2

Comments (5)
ShawnLaBrier
P.S. In addition to an i.d., I'm hoping to get advice on how to help this bird survive the cold. I've been putting out nectar with 3 parts water to one part sugar to give it extra energy. I'm also grinding up sun dried gammarus baby shrimp and putting it with nectar in a separate feeder. I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm doing the right things, and/or give me other suggestions.
ShawnLaBrier
Liam, I think you're right! The call sounds the same. I was able to take and upload some better photos that show a scattering of pink feathers on the face. Thanks so much for your help with the i.d.
Liam
Looks like a female Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), but I'm no expert on Western hummers.
ShawnLaBrier
florida33girl, allaboutbirds has a recording of Magnificent Hummingbird (beautiful bird!) calls. This bird doesn't sound quite like that. It sounds similar to a blue-throated hummingbird call with the really high pitched squeaks, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/blue-throated_hummingbird/sounds. Thanks so much for your comment!
florida33girl
Could it be a female Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)? I'm not as familiar with all the wonderful hummingbird species you're lucky enough to have in your area. Looking forward to getting a definitive answer from a hummingbird expert out there!

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Birds of the World
Photographed
PublishedNovember 16, 2011

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