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| (Photo from Wikipedia) |
Common name:
Anna’s hummingbird (en); beija-flor-de-Anna (pt); colibri d’Anna (fr); colibrí de Ana (es); Annakolibri (de)
Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Trochilidae
Range:
This species originates from north-western Mexico and southern California, but it has expanded in range during the 20th century, now being found as far north as the south-western coast of Canada and inland into southern Arizona.
Size:
These birds are 10-11 cm long and have a wingspan of 11,5-12 cm. They weigh 3-6 g.
Habitat:
The Anna’s hummingbird is mostly found in tropical forest, namely Eucalyptus trees, even though they were only introduced in their range in the mid 19th century, but also uses dry savannas and scrublands, rural gardens and urban and suburban parks and gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.
Diet:
They feed mainly on the nectar of many flowering plants, including currant, gooseberry, manzanita, and many introduced species such as Eucalyptus. They also eat a wide array of small insects, such as midges, whiteflies, and leaf hoppers, a well as spiders. Anna’s hummingbirds are also known to eat tree sap leaking out from holes made by sapsuckers.
Breeding:
These birds breed in December-June. The males display to attract females, having no further part in the breeding process after mating. The female builds the nest, a small cup made of
plant down and spider webs, usually placed on an horizontal branch of a tree 2-6 m above the ground. There she lays 2 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-19 days. She feeds the chicks alone and the chicks fledge 18-23 days after hatching.
Conservation:
IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 1,5 million individuals. The Anna’s hummingbird has greatly expanded in range during the last century, thanks to the planting of exotic flowering trees, such as Eucalyptus which provide nectar and nesting sites. The population has increased by 180% over the last 4 decades.
