Anna's hummingbird is a North American species of hummingbird named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli.
Region
Pacific Coast of North America
Typical Environment
Primarily along the Pacific Coast from Baja California through California and north into Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia, with inland pockets where suitable habitat and feeders occur. Found in coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland edges, riparian corridors, parks, and residential gardens. They readily use urban landscapes with flowering ornamentals and feeders. Range has expanded in recent decades due to landscaping and supplemental feeding.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Anna's hummingbird is a North American species of hummingbird named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli. Males have an iridescent rose-magenta crown and gorget that can look dull until it catches the light. They have adapted well to urban and suburban habitats and have expanded their range northward, aided by ornamental plants and backyard feeders.
A male bird displaying its iridescent head feathers
Female in nocturnal torpor during winter; −8 °C (18 °F), near Vancouver, British Columbia. The bird remained in torpor with an unchanged position for more than 12 hours.
Male displaying iridescent head feathers
Male, in Vancouver
Temperament
territorial and bold
Flight Pattern
hovering with rapid wingbeats; agile bursts and steep display dives
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding, with males defending rich nectar sources vigorously. Courtship includes dramatic, high-altitude dive displays that produce a sharp chirp from the tail feathers. Nests are tiny cups of plant down and spider silk placed on horizontal branches, often in gardens and parks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Males give a scratchy, buzzy song interspersed with thin, high-pitched notes from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips; display dives end with a loud tail-generated chirp.
