Enchanting Costa's Hummingbirds: An Illustrated Guide
2023/06/18

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Want to know how to identify a Costa's hummingbird? You're in luck! In this article, we'll cover the appearance of male, female, and juvenile Costa's hummingbirds. We'll also share where you can catch a glimpse of these tiny feathered friends. Keep reading to learn more! Just so you know, any products mentioned in this article are recommendations from our team and may earn us a commission from your purchase.

Mark Rasmussen, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, has captured an exquisite photograph of a male Costa's hummingbird visiting his backyard.

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The males of this species exhibit royal purple colors on their head, while their neck feathers form mustache-like points on either side of the beak. Despite their small size, weighing only one-tenth of an ounce, their crouched posture makes them appear even smaller. These hummingbirds can be found in the area throughout the year, providing visitors with the opportunity to admire their beauty.

The male Costa's hummingbirds are more vibrant in color compared to the female with their purple throat and head feathers.

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Females, on the other hand, have a greenish-white appearance, with a gray cheek patch and white eyebrow. They construct small cup-shaped nests where they lay two small white eggs. Discover the intriguing life of a female hummingbird in detail. Luisa Daniel from La Quinta, California, shares her experience with a young female Costa's hummingbird who frequently visits her wind chime and is fiercely protective of the feeder. Additionally, read a heartwarming story from a reader who found a Costa's hummingbird nest in her yard.

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The appearance of a young Costa's hummingbird can evolve over time, as shown in the photos provided by Mark Rasmussen.

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Several years ago, during the chilly months when hummingbirds were yet to return from their winter migration, a young male Costa's hummingbird decided to make our backyard his home for the season.

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My wife and I named him Jack. Jack loved perching on our Japanese privet, which was at the perfect height for us to observe him closely. He must have liked my company too, as he often flew in to strike a pose for me. I had the privilege of watching Jack grow from his juvenile stage to adulthood, which took just a month. I documented his transformation through photographs, capturing the moment his gray feathers began to give way to a beautiful purple sheen.

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If you're interested in spotting some unique and fascinating birds, head on over to the southwestern states like California, Arizona, and Nevada. Specifically, keep an eye out for the Costa's hummingbird – the only member of its family that has adapted to living in North American deserts like Sonoran and Mohave. Despite being a desert-dweller, this little birdie loves flower nectar just as much as its hummingbird cousins. Unfortunately, flowers are hard to come by in dry habitats, so the Costa's hummingbird migrates towards the coast during certain seasons to find flowering plants.

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So, if you're looking to catch a glimpse of this amazing creature, the Costa's Hummingbird Hotspot is a great place to start!

If you're looking for a serene and picturesque escape, Tohono Chul Park in Tucson, Arizona is the place to be. Spread over 49 acres of the Sonoran desert, this park offers leisurely walking trails and gardens where you can spot over 140 different species of birds. Particularly delightful is their hummingbird garden, which attracts Anna's, broad-billed and Costa's hummingbirds all year round. These tiny birds sip nectar from the park's salvia and desert willow, among other plants. During migration season, rufous, broad-tailed, calliope and black-chinned hummers also make an appearance here.

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