Violet-Crowned Hummingbird or Anna's Hummingbird?

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!

Primary habitat

Anna's hummingbird inhabits various biomes including gardens, chaparral, open woods, streamside groves, open oak woodland, and coastal sage scrub. It is typically found in city parks and lower mountain slopes.

Additional range

While the species is most common in lowlands, it can also be found in high mountain meadows during late summer.

Natural diet

The Anna's hummingbird primarily feeds on nectar from various flowers. This provides them with the necessary sugars to sustain their high energy lifestyles. In addition to nectar, they also consume tiny insects and spiders, which supply them with essential proteins and other nutrients.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the Anna's hummingbird is known to enjoy sugar-water mixtures, which mimic the nectar they find in flowers. These feeders are common in gardens and offer an alternative source of food, especially when natural sources are scarce.