Calliope Hummingbirds
Hummingbird Information ... Hummingbird Photo Gallery ... Hummingbird Feeders & Feed ... Hummingbird Books
The Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope, is a very small hummingbird and the smallest bird found in Canada and the United States. It is the only member of the Stellula genus.
They are migratory, generally leaving their breeding grounds earlier than most birds (although not as early as the Rufous Hummingbird) to take advantage of the late-summer wildflowers in the mountains of western North America. Most winter in western Mexico.
This bird was named after the Greek muse Calliope. The genus name means "little star".
Description:
These birds have glossy green on the back and crown with white underparts. Their bill and tail are relatively short.
The adult male has wine-red streaks on the throat, green flanks (lower side of the body) and a dark tail.
Females and immatures have a pinkish wash on the flanks (lower side of the body), dark streaks on the throat and a dark tail with white tips.
Breeding / Nesting:
Their breeding habitat is open shrubby areas, usually at higher altitudes, in western North America from British Columbia south to Colorado and southern California. The female builds an open cup nest in a conifer under an overhanging branch.
Diet / Feeding:
These birds feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing. While collecting nectar, they also assist in plant pollination.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org
Related Web Resources: USGS
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
