



Calypte costae
Costa's Hummingbird is a tiny bird known for its beautiful purple throat and fast wings. They love to sip nectar from flowers and can fly in any direction, even backward!
Habitat: Desert
The Costa's Hummingbird is a tiny bird, about 7-9 cm long. Males have a stunning iridescent amethyst-purple crown and gorget that flares out at the sides. Their back is green, and the underparts are whitish with green flanks. Females are duller, mostly green above and whitish below.




Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
4
Males perform a spectacular 'J-shaped' courtship dive from 30 meters high!
Their nests are built the size of a thimble, often with spider silk.
Their tiny hearts can beat over 1,000 times per minute!
These birds use their long tongues to lap up nectar up to 13 times a second!
Costa's Hummingbird can fly backwards and hover perfectly because of unique wing joint structures that allow precise aerial maneuvers.
Costa's Hummingbird has a special 'torpor' state that helps them save energy by lowering their body temperature and metabolism.
Costa's Hummingbird has a grooved, bifurcated tongue that helps them quickly wick up sugary nectar from flowers.
Costa's Hummingbird can chase away much larger birds because of their fierce territorial nature and incredible speed.
They mostly drink flower nectar for energy and eat tiny insects for protein.

Fouquieria splendens
Provides sugary nectar while transferring pollen between flowers.
Justicia californica
Feeds on nectar, aiding in the pollination of this desert shrub.

Lanius ludovicianus
Known to capture and impale small birds and insects, including hummingbirds.

Larrea tridentata
Often builds its tiny nest safely within the protective branches of this hardy desert shrub.
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch them.
The easiest way to identify Costa's Hummingbird is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
7-9 cm
10.5-11.5 cm
0.0028-0.0035 kg
3-8 years
60 km/h
They mostly drink flower nectar for energy and eat tiny insects for protein.
Desert
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Arizona, US
You might spot Great-Tailed Grackle, Stinknet, and Northern Mockingbird.
View guide →

Arizona, US
You might spot Saguaro.
View guide →

Arizona, US
You might spot Chuparosa, Verdin, and American Threefold.
View guide →
California, US
You might spot Creosote Bush, Brittlebush, and Beavertail Pricklypear.
View guide →

Arizona, US
You might spot Desert Spiny Lizard, Queen, and Zebra-Tailed Lizard.
View guide →

California, US
You might spot Bee, Monarch, and Anna's Hummingbird.
View guide →