The calliope hummingbird is a small, vibrantly colored bird native to the western United States. Its scientific name is Selasphorus calliope. This hummingbird gets its common name from its distinctive song, which sounds similar to the tune of a calliope, a musical instrument that produces sound by sending gas through large whistles. The calliope hummingbird has several different vocalizations, but its song is a fast-paced series of high-pitched notes and chirps that resemble a calliope’s tooting melody.
Pronouncing Calliope Hummingbird
The calliope hummingbird’s name contains three parts that each have their own pronunciation:
- Calliope – pronounded “kuh-LY-uh-pee”
- Hummingbird – pronounced as normal, “HUMM-ing-burd”
- Selasphorus – the genus name, pronounced “seh-LAS-for-us”
So putting it together, the full scientific name Selasphorus calliope would be pronounced “seh-LAS-for-us kuh-LY-uh-pee”.
The common name “calliope hummingbird” follows the same pronunciation of the individual parts:
- Calliope – “kuh-LY-uh-pee”
- Hummingbird – “HUMM-ing-burd”
So the full common name is pronounced “KUH-ly-uh-pee HUMM-ing-burd”.
Background on the Calliope Hummingbird
With an average length of 3 inches (7.5 cm) and weight of 0.1-0.2 oz (2.3-5.7 g), the calliope hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males have brightly iridescent throats in shades of pink, purple, and orange, with a purple-streaked white breast. Females lack the bright gorget and are more buff-colored on the underside.
This tiny bird breeds primarily in mountain meadows of the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. Some key facts about the calliope hummingbird:
- Breeds at elevations up to 11,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains
- Migrates as far south as Mexico for winter
- Feeds on nectar from flowers and some small insects
- Has the fastest wingbeat of any hummingbird, up to 80 beats per second
- Builds a compact nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens
The calliope hummingbird was named after the Greek muse Calliope by Alexander Wilson in 1829. Calliope was known as the muse of epic poetry in Greek mythology. This name likely refers to the bird’s song and the epic migratory journey it makes each year.
Description of the Calliope Hummingbird’s Song
The musical trills and chips of the calliope hummingbird’s song are produced primarily by the males during the breeding season. Here are some details about the sounds and behaviors associated with this vocalization:
- Song consists of a series of high-pitched, squeaky chips and buzzy trills
- Trill rate may reach 200 chips per second
- Song can last 2-6 seconds and is often repeated in a series
- Main function is to attract females and establish breeding territories
- Males sing most actively at dawn and dusk when defending territories
- Song is produced by specialized syrinx vocal organ only found in birds
The calliope’s quick, tooting song inspired early settlers to give it the “calliope hummingbird” name comparing it to the sound of the calliope musical instrument. Its fast trill rate and high pitch are unique among North American hummingbirds. This distinct vocalization helps identify the calliope hummingbird along with its small size and streaked plumage.
Calliope Hummingbird Identification
The calliope hummingbird can be identified by the following key characteristics:
- Small size – Usually 3 inches long, making it the smallest hummingbird species in the U.S. and Canada
- Short bill – Bill is very short for a hummingbird, straight and all black
- White streaks on tail – Outer tail feathers have white tips
- Pink “gorget” on males – Iridescent reddish-pink throat patch (females lack gorget)
- High-pitched song – Series of squeaky chips and buzzy trills
- Small range – Only found in western North America
The calliope’s tiny body size and streaked outer tail feathers are good identifying marks. Listen for its unique high-pitched song and look for males with the colorful iridescent throat. Their small range in the western mountains also aids identification.
Behaviors of the Calliope Hummingbird
Some interesting behaviors and traits of the calliope hummingbird include:
- Aggressive defense of feeding areas
- Highly territorial males during breeding season
- Nests only 8-10 days to build
- Torpor used to conserve energy
- Prefers nectar from red tubular flowers
- Migrates relatively early in fall and spring
- One of the most cold-tolerant hummingbird species
Despite its tiny size, the calliope hummingbird is pugnacious in defending flower patches and feeders. Males perform dramatic aerial dive displays to drive away rivals. They build a tiny cup nest and may breed at higher elevations than any other North American bird. Calliopes enter a state of torpor overnight and when food is scarce to conserve energy. They migrate long distances despite their small size and have adapted to withstand cold temperatures better than other hummingbirds.
Range and Habitat of the Calliope Hummingbird
The breeding range of the calliope hummingbird extends from southern British Columbia through the mountains of western Alberta, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. They winter in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and central Mexico.
This species breeds primarily in subalpine meadows and pine forests in mountain ranges at elevations from 4,000 to over 11,000 feet. Some key habitat features include:
- Mountain meadows with abundant flowers
- Banks of mountain streams
- Pine and fir forests with forest openings
- High elevation areas with cold winters and mild summers
The calliope hummingbird frequents open meadows with plentiful nectar flowers near streams and in openings in coniferous mountain forests. Its range is restricted to cooler, higher elevation areas.
Diet and Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, the calliope hummingbird has a specialized diet consisting primarily of nectar and small insects. Key details about its food and feeding habits include:
- Feeds on nectar from trumpet-shaped flowers
- Favors flowers with higher sugar concentrations
- Has the highest metabolism of any homeothermic animal
- Laps nectar up to 13 times per second with an extendable tongue
- Also eats small insects including gnats, aphids, and spiders
- Requires frequent feeding, visiting hundreds of flowers daily
- Aggressive around feeders, chasing other hummers
Calliope hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms to power their wingbeats and demand constant energy intake from nectar and insects. They use their specialized tongue to lap up nectar at lightning speed. Attract them to gardens and feeders with their preferred red tubular flowers.
Reproduction and Nesting
The calliope hummingbird breeds in the mountainous northwestern North America. Here are some key facts about its reproduction and nesting behaviors:
- Breeding occurs from May through August
- Males display by diving to attract females
- Females build nest in 8-10 days using spider webs and down
- Tiny cup nest placed on branch tip, often evergreen tree
- Lays 2 tiny white eggs
- Incubation lasts 15-17 days
- Nestlings fledge in 18-23 days
The female calliope hummingbird builds an intricate cup nest to hold the two pea-sized eggs using spider silk and soft plant down. She incubates the eggs and cares for the fast-growing chicks herself while the male defends the territory but does not participate directly in rearing young. The babies fledge quickly and reach independence soon after leaving the nest.
Migration
The calliope hummingbird undertakes a strenuous migration each spring and fall between its breeding grounds and wintering range. Key information about its migration includes:
- Migrates between southern Canada/northwest U.S. and Mexico
- Spring migration occurs February to May
- Fall migration from August to September
- Travels alone, not in flocks like some birds
- Migratory routes follow mountain ranges and coastlines
- Nonstop flights of up to 36 hours crossing Gulf of Mexico
- Some torpor used to conserve energy on migration
This tiny bird powers an epic migration covering thousands of miles. Calliopes fly north very early in spring to secure the best breeding spots. They stick to mountain passes and coasts during migration and minimize their time crossing inhospitable deserts and water.
Status and Threats
The calliope hummingbird has a widespread range and large total population. Its status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. However, there are some potential threats to monitor:
- Climate change altering flower blooms and ranges
- Habitat loss in migration corridors
- Diseases and parasites
- Collisions with manmade structures
- Competition from non-native hummingbirds
Researchers will continue studying how climate change may impact timing of blooms and range shifts for calliope hummingbirds. Preserving intact habitat corridors and reducing collisions are conservation priorities for this migratory species.
Interesting Facts
A few final fascinating facts about the beautiful calliope hummingbird:
- Smallest long-distance avian migrant in the world
- Breeds at higher elevations than any other North American bird
- Most cold-tolerant hummingbird, can survive sub-zero nights
- Has the fastest wing beats per second of any hummingbird
- Male calliope hummingbirds don’t participate in rearing young
- Often visitsmountain willows, columbines, paintbrushes, and larkspurs
- Adults return to the same breeding sites each year
From its diminutive size to its incredible migratory endurance, the calliope hummingbird is a standout among North American hummingbirds. Next time you’re hiking in the mountains, listen and watch for this unique bird singing and darting among subalpine flowers.
Conclusion
The calliope hummingbird’s musical high-pitched song inspired its whimsical name commemorating the muse Calliope of Greek mythology. Despite its tiny size, this hummingbird undertakes an epic migration each year and thrives in cold mountain environments. Look for the calliope’s distinctive streaked and iridescent plumage and listen for its signature buzzy song to identify this special bird. With proper habitat conservation, this iconic western hummingbird will hopefully continue brightening mountain landscapes with its flashy presence for years to come.
