Common Name: Calliope Hummingbird
Scientific Name: Stellula calliope
Range in North America: Summer breeder in southern British Columbia and as far south as Idaho and northern Nevada, Utah and California. Summer range extends as far east as western Montana and as far west as eastern and central Washington and Oregon.
At just 3.25 inches in length, the calliope hummingbird is the smallest North American hummingbird and one of the most beautiful. Males have a streaked pink or magenta gorget that extends to points on the sides. Females lack the gorget but share the bright green upperparts and slight rufous wash on the flanks of white underparts. Males have more extensive green on the flanks.
These birds prefer low flowers for feeding and can be found regularly in mountain meadows. Males often perch higher to defend their territory, though they are less aggressive than many hummingbird species and are easily intimidated because of their small size.
Photo © Michael Woodruff
