Costa’s Hummingbird

Identification

Costa's Hummingbird is a tiny species, measuring only 3–3.5 inches in length with an 11 cm wingspan and weighing around 3 grams. The male is unmistakable, sporting a vibrant purple cap and gorget (throat patch) with feathers that flare dramatically outward and back behind the head. Males display a mainly green back and flanks, contrasting with small black tail and wings, plus distinctive white patches below the gorget and tail. Females are far more subdued, presenting grayish-green upperparts with a white belly, making them challenging to distinguish from other small hummingbird species in the region.

Range & Habitat

Costa's Hummingbird breeds across the arid, semi-arid, and Mediterranean climate zones of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with populations concentrated in Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula. The species is highly adaptable, thriving in both cultivated and wild habitats: you'll find them visiting backyard feeders and flowering gardens near human settlements, as well as in natural ecosystems including conifer and oak forests, chaparral, and high desert environments further inland. Pacific coastal areas are favored breeding grounds. During winter months, the species often migrates to western Mexico.

Behaviour & Diet

Males perform spectacular courtship displays featuring high-speed dives and arcing swoops, carefully angling their bodies to catch the sun and flash their iridescent purple gorget at prospective mates. These aerial maneuvers are accompanied by distinctive high-pitched vibrations produced by the tail feathers, followed by scratch-like vocalizations delivered from a perch. Females construct delicate cup-shaped nests from plant fibers, down, and spider silk, reinforced with lichen. A typical clutch consists of just two white eggs, incubated for 15–18 days, with young fledging after 20–23 days.

Like all hummingbirds, Costa's feeds primarily on flower nectar and small insects, hovering while foraging. The species exhibits torpor during cold nights, entering a hibernation-like state in which heart rate and respiration dramatically decrease, conserving precious energy reserves.

Best Time & Places to See It

Costa's Hummingbird is common in its range, making sightings reasonably reliable for travelers exploring the Southwestern deserts and Baja California during the breeding season. Backyard feeders and flowering gardens in Southern California offer the most accessible viewing opportunities. Desert habitats and chaparral regions attract birds seeking natural food sources, while protected areas within the species' range provide additional reliable locations for observation.

Photography Tips

The male's vibrant purple plumage is the primary photographic draw. Capture males during their dramatic courtship displays by positioning yourself with the sun behind or to the side—the angle of light is critical for showcasing the gorget's iridescent flash. High shutter speeds are essential to freeze the rapid wing beats and swift diving movements. Patient observers at feeders or flowering plants can obtain close, detailed shots. The female's subtle coloring demands careful exposure metering to retain detail in the pale underparts against darker backgrounds.