How do I identify a Calliope Hummingbird?

Quick Identification Tips

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Some quick identification tips:

• Very small, measuring just 2.75-3.5 inches in length
• Short straight bill that is all black
• White-tipped tail feathers
• Brilliant magenta-pink throat feathers (males only)
• Dark green back and crown
• White undertail coverts
• Female and juvenile plumage is less colorful than males

If you spot a tiny hummingbird with a short black bill, white-tipped tail, and brilliant pink throat (if a male), it’s likely a Calliope! Keep reading for more detailed identification tips.

Size and Physical Description

As mentioned above, the Calliope Hummingbird is incredibly small, measuring just 2.75-3.5 inches in length on average. This makes it the smallest breeding bird in all of North America.

Some key physical features to look for include:

• Small size and short stature
• Short straight bill that is completely black
• White plumage on the undertail coverts (under the base of the tail)
• Forked tail with white tips on the outer 3-4 feathers
• Females and juveniles have green backs with white undersides. No bright pink gorget like adult males
• Adult males have glossy magenta-pink gorgets (throat feathers)

The Calliope’s tiny size and short black bill help distinguish it from other similar hummingbird species like Anna’s, Rufous, and Allen’s Hummingbirds. Taking note of the tail and gorget markings are also useful for ID.

Distribution

Calliope Hummingbirds breed primarily in mountain regions of the western United States. This includes areas like:

• The Rocky Mountains
• The Cascade Range
• The Sierra Nevada Mountains
• Parts of the California Coast Ranges

Some breeding occurs farther north into Canada as well. Total breeding range extends through British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

During migration, Calliopes can be found along the Pacific Coast and throughout Mexico. Their winter range includes Mexico and parts of the American Southwest.

So in summary, look for Calliope Hummingbirds in mountain habitats of the western US and Canada during summer. Migration hotspots include the Pacific Coast and Mexico.

Habitat

Calliope Hummingbirds utilize a range of montane habitats within their breeding range, with a preference for open meadows, stream edges, and mountain forests.

Specific breeding habitats include:

• Subalpine meadows
• Mountain foothills
• Riparian areas
• Aspen groves
• Coniferous and mixed forests
• Near mountain lakes and streams

They can occupy elevations anywhere from 4,000 feet to over 12,000 feet. But they are most abundant between 5,000-8,000 feet in optimal breeding habitat.

During migration and winter, Calliope Hummingbirds utilize a wider variety of habitats including scrublands, canyons, desert oases, forests, and mountain pine-oak woodlands. They are attracted to areas with flowering plants and nectar sources.

Behavior and Diet

Like all hummingbirds, Calliopes feed primarily on nectar from colorful tubular flowers. Some favorite nectar sources include:

• Indian paintbrush
• Red columbine
• Trumpet vines
• Penstemons
• Firecracker flowers
• Larkspurs

They also eat small insects like gnats, flies, beetles, and spiders to obtain essential proteins.

In terms of behavior, here are some key facts about Calliope Hummingbirds:

• Highly aggressive and territorial; males defend feeding territories
• Male courtship displays include aerial dive displays and chirping sounds
• Nest is a small cup built primarily by the female, usually on a conifer branch
• Tiny eggs are pea-sized and white in color
• May have 2 broods per season from May to August
• Highly inquisitive and quick flying; can hover and fly backwards

Their small size, aggressiveness, and aerial agility make them easily distinguished from other larger hummingbird species.

Songs and Sounds

Calliope Hummingbirds produce a range of high-pitched squeaks and chip notes. Their vocalizations include:

• Short high-pitched “chip” notes used in aggressive displays
• Fast chatter or squeaking during courtship dives
• High-pitched squeaks and squeals near the nest
• Shrill tsip calls while in flight
• Insect-like buzzing from their fast-beating wings

The males produce a distinctive metallic chipping sound during their J-shaped courtship dives. This is one of the best ways to identify the presence of male Calliopes.

Listen for their squeaks and chip notes in mountain habitats – if you hear buzzing wings and high-pitched chirps, check for a small hummer with a short tail and black bill!

Male vs Female

Telling male and female Calliope Hummingbirds apart can be tricky. Here are some tips:

• Adult males have brilliant magenta-colored throats while females have white underparts
• Males have slightly longer tails and more extensive green plumage
• Females may show faint reddish-pink spots on the throat
• Juveniles resemble adult females but with buffy edges to the back feathers

So in summary, look for these distinctions:

The brilliant magenta throat of the male is the most reliable identification marker. Females can be trickier to distinguish unless they display some faint gorget spotting.

Geographic Variation

There are four recognized subspecies of Calliope Hummingbird across different geographic breeding ranges:

• Selasphorus calliope calliope – Breeds in the U.S. Rocky Mountains and southwest Canada
• S. c. personatus – Breeds in California’s Sierra Nevada range
• S. c. dorothyae – Breeds in the southern Coast Ranges of California
• S. c. saturatus – Breeds in the mountains of Baja California

Key physical differences between subspecies include:

So in general, birds get brighter from north to south, with saturatus being the most vividly colored subspecies. However, these distinctions require close examination and comparisons. Any Calliope Hummingbird observed within its normal range can be positively identified by the overall size, bill, tail, and gorget characteristics.

Similar Species

The Calliope Hummingbird’s tiny size helps distinguish it from almost all other hummingbirds within its range. But a few species could potentially cause confusion:

• Rufous Hummingbird – Larger with rusty orange on sides, rounded tail
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Larger with wider bill and broad tail
• Anna’s Hummingbird – Larger with rose-pink gorget and rounded tail
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Only real overlap is during migration, larger size

The combination of very small size, short black bill, forked white-tipped tail, and brilliant pink male gorget are diagnostic for Calliope. Females are harder to differentiate, but the tiny size plus range still safely confirms Calliope. Any possible lookalikes can be ruled out by the small proportions alone.

Fun Facts

To summarize key points, here are some fun facts about the Calliope Hummingbird:

• Smallest breeding bird in North America at just 2.75-3.5 inches long
• Weighs only about 1/10th of an ounce
• Named after the Greek muse Calliope, known for her beautiful voice
• Fastest recorded speed of any bird in a dive – up to 60 miles per hour!
• Only hummingbird species known to breed regularly in Canada
• Males perform elaborate courtship dives up to 100 feet in the air
• Primarily eat flower nectar but also small insects for protein
• Highly territorial, especially the males
• One of the most colorful hummingbirds alongside the Ruby-throated
• Calliope refers to the genus name Selasphorus calliope

The Calliope Hummingbird is a true western mountain gem. Watching its aerial courtship displays and hearing its distinctive chip notes is a special treat. Their tiny size, black bills, bright colors, and agile flight make them a standout backyard visitor.

Conclusion

Identifying the Calliope Hummingbird comes down to watching for a few key characteristics:

• Extremely small size – just 2.75-3.5 inches total length
• Short black bill
• White undertail coverts
• Forked tail with white tips on outer 3-4 feathers
• Magenta-pink gorget on adult males
• Buzzing wings and high-pitched chips/squeaks
• Found in western mountain ranges and nearby habitats

Pay attention to the diminutive proportions, short bill, white-tipped tail, territorial behavior, and vocalizations. Compare any lookalikes to confirm the tiny size. With practice, the male Calliope’s vibrant colors make it unmistakable. Females and juveniles offer more challenge but can be identified in the right range by their exceptionally small size.