Hummingbirds are known for their vibrant colors and rapid flight. With over 300 species, hummingbirds come in a stunning array of colors and patterns. One particularly striking hummingbird has a primarily green body with a black head. Keep reading to find out what hummingbird species matches this description.
Anna’s Hummingbird
The hummingbird species with a green body and black head is the Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna). Named after a 19th century duchess, Anna’s hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird found along the Pacific Coast from southern British Columbia to Baja California.
The male Anna’s hummingbird has a green back and crown, with gray underparts. Its most distinguishing feature is its iridescent rose-pink throat and crown. When the light hits just right, it flashes brilliant magenta. The female Anna’s hummingbird is primarily green on the back and crown, with grayish underparts. Unlike the flashy male, the female has a pale gray throat with small iridescent red spots.
Physical Description
Some key physical features of the Anna’s hummingbird include:
- Size: 3.5-4 inches long
- Wingspan: 4.5 inches
- Weight: 3-6 grams
- Bill: Long, straight
- Color: Males have green backs and crowns, gray underparts, iridescent pink throats. Females have green backs, gray underparts with small red spots on throats.
Behavior
Anna’s hummingbirds display some interesting behaviors:
- Aggressive – They aggressively defend flower and feeder territories from intruders.
- Acrobatic – They can fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and hover in midair.
- Vocalizations – Make high-pitched squeaks and chips.
- Brooding – Females alone build nests and care for young.
Habitat
Anna’s hummingbirds live in a variety of habitats including:
- Suburban gardens
- Parks and woodlands
- Desert oases
- Chaparral
They are adaptable and have greatly expanded their range by taking advantage of bird feeders and nonnative plants in urban and suburban areas.
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying Anna’s hummingbird:
- Look for a medium-sized hummingbird with a long thin bill and short tail.
- Males have vivid iridescent pink throats and crowns unlike other North American species.
- Females lack bright throat patches and are primarily green on the back and crown.
- Listen for high-pitched squeaking vocalizations.
- Watch for birds aggressively chasing intruders away from feeders and flowers.
- Note the location – Anna’s hummingbirds are found along western North America.
Common Look-alikes
Anna’s hummingbirds can be confused with other hummingbird species including:
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbirds are very similar in appearance to Anna’s. Males have iridescent orange-red throats and crowns. Females also look alike, though Allen’s may have slightly more spotting on the throat. The best distinction is location – Allen’s are found farther north along the Pacific Coast into Oregon.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Male Costa’s hummingbirds have iridescent purple crowns and throats. Females may show more buffy coloring on the sides than Anna’s. Costa’s prefer hot desert regions of the southwest. Like Anna’s, they have expanded northward in recent decades.
Rufous Hummingbird
During migration, the widespread Rufous hummingbird may turn up alongside Anna’s. Adult male Rufous have bright orange throats with some red speckling. Females have green backs but lack the small red throat spots of female Anna’s. Rufous hummingbirds are migratory, breeding farther north and north.
| Species | Male Throat | Female Throat | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna’s | Iridescent pink | Gray with small red spots | Pacific Coast |
| Allen’s | Iridescent orange-red | Gray with small red spots | Pacific Coast north to Oregon |
| Costa’s | Iridescent purple | Gray with small purple spots | Desert Southwest |
| Rufous | Orange with red speckles | Green | Breeds north, migrates through west |
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about Anna’s hummingbirds:
- One of the most common hummingbirds of suburban areas in its range.
- Male’s breeding display involves flying in U-shaped pattern up to 130 feet in the air, then diving downwards at fast speeds generating a loud sound with its tail feathers.
- skilled hoverers – they can precisely maintain position while nectaring or displaying.
- Heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
- Males arrive on breeding grounds in late fall and early winter before females. Some may overwinter as far north as Canada.
- Nests are tiny, soft cups made of down, spider webs, and lichens.
Conclusion
The hummingbird species with a primarily green body and black head that ranges along the Pacific Coast is the Anna’s hummingbird. Males are especially striking with their iridescent pink throats that flash brilliantly in the sunlight. Females are more subtly marked with small red spots on a gray throat. Anna’s hummingbirds are aggressive, acrobatic fliers that have adapted well to human-altered environments. So next time you visit a garden or park in western North America and spot a hummingbird with emerald green plumage and a dark head, listen and watch closely – it’s likely to be the feisty and impressive Anna’s hummingbird.
