Anna’s Hummingbird

Identification

Anna's hummingbird is a small North American species, measuring 3.9 to 4.3 inches long with a wingspan of 4.7 inches and weighing between 0.1 and 0.2 ounces. The species is characterized by an iridescent bronze-green back, pale grey chest and belly, and green flanks. Both sexes have long, straight, slender bills adapted for feeding on nectar.

Adult males are unmistakable, being the only North American hummingbird species with a red crown. They display an iridescent crimson-red to reddish-pink crown and gorget (throat patch) that shimmers brilliantly in direct sunlight but may appear dull brown or grey without proper illumination. Males also have a dark, slightly forked tail. Females and juvenile males lack the distinctive red crown, instead showing a dull green crown and grey throat with variable red iridescence. They have a rounded tail with white tips on the outer feathers. The male's iridescence results from stacked melanosomes in feather barbules, which reflect light like partially-opened Venetian blinds, creating the characteristic color-shift effect that varies with the angle of observation.

Range & Habitat

Anna's hummingbird is found along the western coast of North America, from southern Canada to northern Baja California, with an inland range extending to southern and central Arizona, extreme southern Nevada, southeastern Utah, and western Texas. Historically, the species migrated seasonally between northern breeding grounds and southern winter quarters in Baja California and Southern California. Since the 1970s, however, this migration pattern has changed dramatically.

The species now maintains a year-round presence across much of the Pacific coast and inland regions, representing the northernmost year-round range of any hummingbird species. This range expansion is driven by introduced ornamental plants in residential areas and the widespread provision of nectar feeders. Anna's hummingbirds have even expanded into higher elevations, with records from mountainous terrains of California, including the Sierra Nevada, at altitudes up to 2,825 metres. Birds have been recorded as far north as Alaska, and are increasingly resident in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, having adapted to moderately cold winter temperatures through gradual weight gain and fat conversion.

Behaviour & Diet

Anna's hummingbirds are highly adapted to urban and suburban environments and are commonly observed in backyards, parks, and at feeders. Males produce a striking scratchy, metallic call, typically delivered while perching in trees and shrubs. The brilliant iridescence of the male's crown and gorget serves dual purposes in courtship attraction and territory defense. Notably, males with elevated protein levels in their diet display more colorful crowns and higher iridescence in their head feathers compared to males with low protein intake.

These birds feed primarily on flower nectar using their long, extendable tongue. They also supplement their diet by consuming small insects and other arthropods, either capturing them in flight or gleaning them from vegetation. During cold periods, Anna's hummingbirds employ a remarkable adaptation, gradually gaining weight during the day as they convert sugar to fat, enabling them to survive harsh winter conditions.

Best Time & Places to See It

Anna's hummingbirds can be observed year-round throughout their range along the western coast of North America. They are particularly common in residential areas with flowering plants and nectar feeders, making suburban gardens and parks excellent locations for viewing. Urban and suburban backyards with appropriate plantings and feeders consistently attract these birds.

The species is increasingly expanding into new territories, so sightings may occur beyond the traditional range in unexpected locations. For the best viewing opportunities, visit areas with abundant flowering plants or position yourself near nectar feeders during early morning hours when the birds are most active. The expanding northern populations in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and even Alaska present unique opportunities for observers in those regions.

Photography Tips

To capture the spectacular iridescent coloration that distinguishes Anna's hummingbird, photographers must pay careful attention to lighting angles. The brilliant crimson-red crown and gorget of males are highly directional; position yourself so that natural sunlight illuminates the bird's head at the angle from which you are photographing. Without proper backlighting or sidelighting, these iridescent feathers may appear dull brown or grey, missing the bird's true visual drama.

Photograph males perching in trees and shrubs where they deliver their distinctive calls, as these locations often provide clearer sightings than birds in active flight. Garden feeders and flowering plants offer predictable locations to locate and photograph the species. Early morning light typically provides the best conditions for capturing iridescence. The small size of these birds—less than four inches long—requires patience and appropriate focal length lenses to fill the frame with sufficient detail to showcase their distinctive markings and colors.