Cinnamon Hummingbird or Anna's Hummingbird?
Here's how to tell the difference
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Amazilia rutila
General appearance
The cinnamon hummingbird is notable for its medium size, averaging about 4 inches in length, and its distinctive cinnamon-rufous coloration, which gives the species its name. Their beaks are mostly straight, with a slight curvature towards the end. Their underbellies are a lighter, almost whitish color. Adult feathers shine with a metallic sheen when hit by light.
Male vs female
Males and females roughly resemble each other but can be distinguished by the iridescencent green patch or gorget on the male's throat, absent in the female. Females also tend to be slightly larger in size. The tail of the female is rounded with white tips, a feature that is absent in males, whose tail feathers are uniformly colored.
Juvenile
Juvenile cinnamon hummingbirds feature a speckled appearance, with scattered green and white feathers interspersed with their cinnamon coloration. As they grow, these flecks slowly fade until their full adult plumage takes over. Their beaks, initially darker in color, turn red-orange with maturity.
Size
3.5 - 3.9 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz
There's more to learn about Cinnamon Hummingbird
View full detailsAnna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
General appearance
Feast your eyes on Anna's hummingbirds! These radiant beauties are a vibrant combination of elegant form and stunning color. Their body is adorned with green and grey shades, offering a subtle yet captivating sight. The lower body beams with a light grey-white color, balancing the otherwise rich tones. Despite their relatively small size of about 9cm, they own their presence, darting daringly through the skies.
Male vs female
Males and females of Anna's hummingbirds showcase a delightful color variation. The males steal the spotlight with their breath-taking iridescent crimson-red crowns and throats, shimmering brilliantly in direct sunlight. Their back is metallic green, a perfect contrast to their radiant front. The ladies, on the other hand, adorn a more modest attire of green on top and greyish white underneath. Some females may display a subtle touch of red marking on their throat, adding a dash of secret charm.
Juvenile
The juveniles initially mirror the females in coloration carrying the green-grey theme. But as they grow, the young male Anna's hummingbirds start developing their glamorous red feathers that herald their entry into adulthood. A hint of this transformation is their first indicator of age. Regardless of age, the Anna's hummingbirds keep their vibrant energy, embodying the spirit of free flight throughout their life!
Size
3.7 - 4.1 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz
There's more to learn about Anna's Hummingbird
View full detailsHow to tell the Cinnamon Hummingbird from the Anna's Hummingbird
Visual differences
The Cinnamon Hummingbird and Anna's Hummingbird can be distinguished by their plumage and size. The Cinnamon Hummingbird features warm cinnamon-rufous coloration with iridescent green wings and a lighter underbelly. Its beak is mostly straight with a slight curve. Meanwhile, Anna's Hummingbird males boast iridescent crimson-red crowns and throats, with a metallic green back and light grey-white underparts. Females are green with greyish-white undersides. Cinnamon Hummingbirds are around 4 inches in length, whereas Anna's Hummingbirds measure about 3.5-4 inches. Additionally, Anna's juveniles and females may have subtle red throat markings.
Key differences and behavior
Cinnamon Hummingbirds and Anna's Hummingbirds exhibit distinct behavioral traits. Cinnamon Hummingbirds frequent tropical and subtropical forests from Mexico to Costa Rica, showcasing feisty energy during their nectar-foraging from tubular flowers and bird feeders. Their courtship involves aerial displays, with the female building the nest and incubating alone. In contrast, Anna's Hummingbirds inhabit varied habitats, including gardens and chaparral along the U.S. West Coast. They display a distinctive 12-second dive during courtship, with males producing an explosive sound. Breeding begins as early as December. Both species consume nectar and insects, but Anna's are particularly drawn to urban feeders. While similar in size, their habitats and courtship behaviors are key distinguishing factors in the field.
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