Hummingbirds

Species

Anna's Hummingbird

The Anna's Hummingbird is the largest of the hummingbirds in BC. They have shiny fuchsia purple/pink metallic feathers around their throat (gorget). The gorget is large in males and can range from only a few feathers to a large patch in females. Males also have shiny feathers on their heads (crown). Anna's Hummingbird bodies are grey and green (no browny red) and adult female and juvenile birds have white tips on their outer tail feathers.

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous hummingbirds have shiny orangey-red metallic feathers around their throat (gorget). While the gorget is large in males, it can range from only a few feathers to a large patch in females. Rufous also have a reddish wash along their sides. The back of male Rufous will often be completely red, while in females and juveniles it is green. The other way to identify females and juveniles, is they have white tips on their outer tail feathers.

Calliope Hummingbird

The Calliope is our smallest hummingbird. Adult males are notable for their magenta gorget, which forms a spray that can be raised during display to look like a star (hence its previous scientific name, Stellula calliope). Their close relationship to the Rufous has led to reclassification as Selasphorus calliope. While the adult females of Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are different sizes, they look similar, with green backs and rufous washes along the sides. Pay close attention to tail length when they are sitting – the Calliope's wing is longer than its tail, while the Rufous tail extends well past the wing.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

The Black-chinned Hummingbird male has a dark face and a mostly black gorget with a purple bib. Both sexes have a green back and white breasts, with some green on the sides. The female has a white throat and white tips on the outer tail feathers.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

These birds are found east of the Rockies. Both sexes have green backs and white breasts. The male has a ruby-red gorget, black chin and forked tail. The female has a white throat and notched tail, with white tips to the outer tail feathers.