Birds Active during the day

Costa's Hummingbird

Calypte costae

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A tiny desert jewel with a regal purple crown, the Costa's Hummingbird is the Southwestern desert's most dazzling aerial acrobat.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

7.5–9 cm (3–3.5 in) long, 11 cm (4.3 in) wingspan, weighing approximately 2.5–3.5 g (0.1 oz)

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Colors

Males have a brilliant iridescent violet-purple crown and gorget (throat) that extends into long 'mustache' flares; females have grayish-green backs and white underparts.

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Key Features

Iridescent violet crown and elongated throat feathers on males
Short tail that barely reaches the wingtips at rest
Small, hunchbacked posture compared to other hummingbirds
High-pitched, thin whistling sound during flight and dives

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season February-June

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Diet Primarily nectar from tubular desert flowers like Chuparosa, Ocotillo, and Desert Honeysuckle; they also consume small insects and spiders caught in mid-air or gleaned from foliage for essential protein.

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Habitat Arid desert scrub, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and suburban gardens featuring xeriscaping or native desert plants.

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Where Does the Costa's Hummingbird Live?

Native to the North American continent, the Costa's Hummingbird is a true specialist of the arid Southwest. Its core range spans from Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Southwest Utah through Arizona and down into the Baja California Peninsula and northwestern Mexico. While many populations are migratory, moving toward the coast or further south into Mexico for the winter, some residents can be found year-round in the warmer coastal sage scrubs of California.

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2 Countries

920K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 1,800 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Costa’s Hummingbirds are the quintessential 'desert hummers,' masters of survival in the arid heat. They are known for their remarkable ability to enter a state of torpor on cold desert nights, slowing their heart rate and lowering their body temperature to conserve energy. This adaptation allows them to inhabit harsh environments where other hummingbirds might struggle. They are highly territorial, with males choosing high, exposed perches to guard their nectar sources and perform spectacular U-shaped courtship dives to impress females.

Unlike some of their more aggressive relatives, Costa’s tend to be slightly more elusive and less dominant at multi-species feeders, often preferring to zip in and out quickly. They are remarkably agile flyers, capable of hovering with precision while feeding on delicate desert blooms. In backyard settings, they are often seen as 'the early birds' of the spring, arriving in desert gardens to breed just as the first wildflowers begin to bloom.

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Camera Tips

To capture the stunning violet iridescence of a male Costa's Hummingbird, camera placement is critical. Position your AI camera approximately 3 to 5 feet from a hummingbird feeder or a cluster of red tubular flowers like Chuparosa. Because these birds are exceptionally small and fast, ensure your camera is set to its highest trigger sensitivity and use a high shutter speed setting to freeze the 50-80 wingbeats per second.

Lighting is the most important factor for this species. The male's brilliant purple gorget is a structural color, meaning it only appears vibrant when the light hits it at a specific angle. For the best results, position your camera facing away from the sun—aiming North or East in the early morning—so the bird is front-lit. This increases the chances of the camera catching the metallic flash when the bird turns its head toward the lens.

If you want to capture unique behaviors, focus on water. Costa's Hummingbirds are drawn to fine misters and shallow, moving water features in dry climates. Placing a camera near a 'bubbler' fountain or a misting attachment can result in incredible footage of them bathing. Additionally, look for a favorite 'sentry perch'—usually a bare, thin twig near a food source. Once you identify a branch they regularly sit on to survey their territory, aim your camera there for the most detailed, still portraits.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Costa's Hummingbird.

Anna's Hummingbird

Slightly larger with a rose-red gorget rather than violet; the Anna's gorget lacks the long, flared side feathers seen on the Costa's.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Features a much thinner strip of purple at the base of a black throat, and lacks the iridescent purple crown found on the Costa's.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Costa's Hummingbirds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. In the heat of the desert afternoon, they may retreat to shaded areas to conserve energy, returning to feeders and flowers as the temperature begins to drop.

The best way to attract them is by planting native desert flora such as Ocotillo, Desert Willow, and various Salvia species. They are also frequent visitors to hummingbird feeders filled with a simple 4:1 water-to-sugar solution.

Their diet consists mainly of nectar for sugar-driven energy and small insects like gnats or fruit flies for protein and minerals. They are often seen 'hawking' for insects in mid-air.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas of Southern California and Arizona, particularly in neighborhoods that use xeriscaping and drought-tolerant native plants.

Look at the throat and head color. While both can look dark in poor light, the male Costa's has a deep violet-purple gorget that extends into long 'mustaches' on the sides, whereas the Anna's has a rose-pink gorget that is more rounded.

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