Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a small, vibrantly colored hummingbird found along the west coast of North America. The females have green backs and grey undersides, while the males are known for their dramatic iridescent red throats and crowns. This hummingbird was named after a Duchess from the 19th century, but which Duchess was it? Let’s take a look at the history behind the naming of this tiny bird.
The Discovery and Naming of Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird was first collected by French naturalist René Primevère Lesson near San Blas, Mexico in 1829. However, Lesson did not formally describe the species. It was formally described in 1852 by English zoologist John Gould, who gave it the scientific name Trochilus anna in honor of Anna Massena, Duchess of Rivoli.
Anna Massena (1799-1859) was married to André Masséna, son of French military commander Marshal André Masséna, who was made Duke of Rivoli by Napoleon. When her husband inherited the title of Duke of Rivoli upon his father’s death in 1817, Anna became the Duchess of Rivoli.
John Gould likely chose to name the hummingbird after the Duchess of Rivoli because her husband was a patron of his work. The Duke of Rivoli allowed Gould to use plates of hummingbirds from Lesson’s collection to illustrate his book on trochilidae (hummingbirds). By naming the new species after Anna, Gould expressed his gratitude for the Duke’s support of his ornithological endeavors.
The Life of Anna Massena, Duchess of Rivoli
Anna Massena was born Anna Ivanova Scheremeteva in 1799 in Russia. She was the daughter of Count Ivan Scheremetev, a member of one of Russia’s wealthiest aristocratic families. In 1815, at the age of 16, she married André Masséna, who was 25 years her senior. André was the son of André Masséna, the Duke of Rivoli and Prince of Essling, a renowned French commander during the Napoleonic Wars.
André and Anna split their time between an estate in France and her family’s manor in Tsarskoe Selo, Russia. They had two daughters together. In 1817, when André’s father died, the couple inherited the title of Duke and Duchess of Rivoli.
Anna was known for her intelligence, artistic talents, and eccentricities. She corresponded with many famous writers and artists of the time and was considered a patron of the arts. Anna commissioned portraits of herself and her family from famed French painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, who captured her likeness in an 1842 portrait.
Later Life and Death
Anna remained Duchess of Rivoli until her husband’s death in 1845. She continued living partly in Russia and partly in France after being widowed. In 1851, she converted to Protestantism, shocking Russian society. She died in 1859 at the age of 60.
Though her life was short, Anna Massena left a legacy in the natural world by having her name bestowed upon the Anna’s hummingbird by John Gould. Her title allowed her family to support Gould’s work cataloging hummingbirds, leading him to honor the Duchess by naming the newly discovered species after her.
The Ruby-Throated Beauty of Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird is one of the most strikingly colored hummingbirds in North America. The males exhibit incredible iridescent coloration. Their throats and crowns shine with a brilliant ruby red in the sunlight. This comes from refracted light bouncing off feather structures called melanosomes that contain pigments. Depending on the viewing angle, the feathers can flash red, orange, green, or grey.
Male Anna’s Hummingbird
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Crown | Red |
Throat | Red |
Back | Green |
Breast | Grey |
Belly | Grey |
Wings | Dusky |
Tail | Rufous, forked |
Bill | Straight, black |
Legs | Black |
The vibrant ruby throats of the males serve to attract females during mating season. The striking colors result from pigments as well as prism-like cells that reflect light. This iridescence allows the hummingbirds to flash bright colors when defending territory and during courtship.
Female Anna’s Hummingbird
While less vibrantly colored than the males, female Anna’s hummingbirds possess an elegant green back that distinguishes them from other hummingbirds in their range:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Crown | Green |
Back | Green |
Throat | Grey |
Breast | Grey |
Belly | Grey |
Wings | Dusky |
Tail | Rufous with white tips |
Bill | Straight, black |
Legs | Black |
The green backs and grey underparts provide camouflage while the females are incubating eggs and caring for chicks.
Habitat and Behavior of Anna’s Hummingbirds
Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast. Their breeding habitat stretches from southern British Columbia to Baja California. Some birds migrate inland and as far north as British Columbia in the summer. They are adaptable to urban settings and can be found in parks and gardens, especially where nectar plants are available.
Food and Feeding
Anna’s hummingbirds have specialized tube-like tongues for lapping up nectar from flowers. They prefer red blooms with high sugar concentrations. Some favorite nectar sources include:
- Fuchsia
- Coral bells
- Columbine
- Indian paintbrush
- Penstemon
- Lobelia
- Salvia
The tiny birds supplement their diet with small insects like gnats, fruit flies,spiders, and aphids. They may also eat tree sap.
Anna’s hummingbirds are territorial and aggressively defend nectar supplies in their breeding areas. They perch nearby and chase away intruders. Males perform elaborate dive displays, flying up to 100 feet in the air before diving back down at high speeds while singing to defend territory.
Reproduction
Males arrive at breeding areas in December and establish feeding territories. When females arrive, breeding occurs. Nest building takes 10-11 days using plant down and spider silk to bind lichen, leaves, and moss. The female incubates the 2 tiny white eggs for 16-17 days. Chicks fledge in about 25 days. Females may raise 2-3 broods per year.
Migration
Most Anna’s hummingbirds are permanent residents within their range. Some northern populations migrate south in winter while other birds at higher elevations move downslope to escape extreme cold and snow. Banding studies show they are loyal to breeding and wintering sites, returning to the same locations annually.
Backyard Visits
Anna’s hummingbirds readily adapt to backyard feeders in much of their range. They are best attracted by nectar feeders with perches as well as nearby shrubs and trees for nesting. Keeping feeders clean and well-stocked will encourage these ruby-throated hummingbirds to visit. Avoid food dyes and make homemade nectar by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Their high metabolism requires emptying and refilling feeders every few days. Gardens with plenty of tubular flowers in red, orange, and pink blooms will also appeal to these energetic birds.
Current Population Status
Anna’s hummingbird populations are thriving overall. The species has proven able to adapt to human development and urbanization as long as sufficient flowers and feeders provide food. Backyard gardens and parks allow these hummingbirds to flourish, even in dense cities like Los Angeles.
The estimated global breeding population is over 1.4 million adults. Partners in Flight estimates a breeding population of 1.4 million with 95% living in the U.S. and 5% in Mexico. Audubon classifies Anna’s hummingbird as a Species of Least Concern due to its healthy population size and increasing numbers. The species has expanded its breeding range northward by over 600 miles in the past several decades as warmer climates provide new habitat. This expansion indicates flexible adaptability boding well for continued success.
While an introduced pest, the eucalyptus tree, may provide an important nectar source in California, Anna’s hummingbirds also thrive on diverse native plants. Providing native flowers and maintaining natural habitat areas will support these charismatic hummingbirds into the future. Care should be taken to avoid pesticide use where the birds are nesting or feeding. Otherwise, the outlook remains bright for Anna’s hummingbirds to continue dazzling observers with their flashy ruby throats set against emerald green backs.
Conclusion
Anna’s hummingbird bears the name of Anna Massena, Duchess of Rivoli, as a tribute to her husband’s support for the work of naturalist John Gould. Though her life remains intriguing, we know few details about the Duchess. Yet her name lives on through this species of tiny trochilid bringing sparkling color and boundless energy to the west coast. As cities expand along the Pacific, Anna’s hummingbird has shown resilience in adopting urban habitats while still clinging to remnants of native vegetation. May the tenacity and adaptability of this diminutive bird allow it to thrive for years to come. If we provide welcoming havens with shelter and sustenance, Anna’s hummingbirds will continue to dazzle us with their jewel-like, iridescent beauty.