# Anna's Hummingbird (*Calypte anna*) Anna's Hummingbird is a tiny bird known for its beautiful green and pink feathers. They are very fast and can hover in one place while they drink nectar from flowers. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 45 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens ![Anna's Hummingbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anna's_Hummingbird_-_0L8A9194.jpg&width=800) Photo: Nigel, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anna's_Hummingbird_-_0L8A9194.jpg) ## Appearance The Anna's Hummingbird has an iridescent green back and dull greyish-white underside. Males boast a dazzling rose-red, iridescent gorget and crown that can appear dark in poor light, distinguishing them from other hummingbirds. Females have green heads, often with a small red throat patch, and a relatively stout, straight bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Apodiformes - **Family:** Trochilidae - **Genus:** Calypte ## Interesting facts - Anna's Hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species that regularly breeds through winter. - Their heart can beat over 1,200 times per minute when they are flying fast! - Their tiny nests are expertly built with spider silk, bits of lichen, and soft plant down! - These brave little birds sometimes catch insects right out of the air like a tiny flycatcher. ## Special abilities - **Rapid Flapper:** Anna's Hummingbird can beat its wings up to 80 times per second because of strong flight muscles, allowing it to hover perfectly still. - **Energy Saver:** Anna's Hummingbird can enter torpor, a deep sleep-like state, that helps them conserve energy and survive cold winter nights. - **Aerial Acrobat:** Anna's Hummingbird can fly backwards and hover precisely because its unique wing structure allows for incredible maneuverability in the air. - **Sound Dive:** Anna's Hummingbird males can perform a spectacular high-speed dive and produce a loud 'pop' sound using their tail feathers. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 9.9-10.9 cm - **Wingspan:** 11-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.006 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 61 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2 - **Incubation:** 16-19 days ## Diet & Feeding This little bird mostly sips sweet flower nectar but also munches on tiny insects and spiders for protein. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Small flies, Gnats, Aphids, Tiny spiders, Tree sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Sage flower (*Salvia sp.*) — Essential for transferring pollen between tubular flowers they feed from. - **Eaten by:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — Larger birds like jays may prey on eggs, nestlings, or adult hummingbirds. - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Benefits from backyard feeders and garden flowers provided by people. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching hummingbirds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anna's Hummingbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Anna's Hummingbird? 9.9-10.9 cm ### What is Anna's Hummingbird's wingspan? 11-12 cm ### How much does Anna's Hummingbird weigh? 0.003-0.006 kg ### How long does Anna's Hummingbird live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Anna's Hummingbird move? 61 km/h ### What does Anna's Hummingbird eat? This little bird mostly sips sweet flower nectar but also munches on tiny insects and spiders for protein. ### Where is Anna's Hummingbird usually found? Urban areas, gardens ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Boyce Thompson Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boyce-thompson-arboretum) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forts-baker-barry-and-cronkhite) — California, US · Historic District - [Franks Tract State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franks-tract-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Lake Oroville State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-oroville-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/annas-hummingbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) - [Double-crested Cormorant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/double-crested-cormorant) (*Nannopterum auritum*) --- Source: [Anna's Hummingbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird)