Calypte costae prefers red flowers.
When making the nest, female C. costae will often use spider webs to secure the materials together.
Calypte costae takes its name from a French nobleman, Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa.
(Mallette 1990; Indianapolis Zoo 2001)
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
The most dangerous threat facing C. costae today is the destruction of its native habitat. Humans have all but eliminated the hummingbird's breeding ground (coastal scrub) with urban and residential development. Agriculture, exotic grasses, and cattle-grazing have also depleted many sources of food for C. costae. Hummingbird feeders and exotic plants, an accepted solution to the lack of nectar available, do not provide enough nutrition to C. costae, as it is often outcompeted by larger hummingbird species (Baltosser 1996).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Unknown, if any.
Hummingbirds aid in the pollination of several species of plants. Calypte costae, in particular, provides a method of pollination for various desert plants and cacti (Baltosser 1996).
Calypte costae is an omnivore, though it feeds mainly on nectar from flowers. The hummingbird recieves this nectar from traditional hummingbird flowers (these plants produce 2-5 mg sucrose-equivalent sugar/flower/day), such as the desert honeysuckle (Anisacanthus thurberi) and the barestem larkspur (Delphinium scaposum), and also from tiny desert lavender flowers (Hyptis emoryi) and huge saguaro flowers (Cereus giganteus). To satisfy protein needs (about 4.5 mg nitrogen/day), C. costae also feeds on small insects by fly-catching or gleaning from leaves, branches, or tree trunks (Baltosser 1996).
Calypte costae is commonly found in the far west region of the United States and Mexico with a northern limit of central California and a southern limit of central Mexico. However, there have been reports of C. costae in Alaska, Kansas, and the southern tip of Mexico (Baltosser 1989, 1996).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Calypte costae is found in primarily desert-like habitats. An arid climate is preferred, with plants such as the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and cholla cactus (Opuntia acanthocarpa). However, when nectar is in short supply, C. costae will leave the desert in search of food.(Baltosser 1989, 1996; Mallette 1990).
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 6 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 110 months.
With a length of 7.62 cm, C. costae is the second smallest North American species of hummingbird. The back and head of C. costae are an iridescent green. Adult males possess a flared throat patch, both this gorget and their crown are a brilliant metallic purple. Adult females are recognizable by a small tuft of violet feathers in the center of the throat, however, only about half possess this; the throats of the remainder are completely white. In both sexes, the bill is dull black, the iris of the eye is dark brown to black, and the legs and feet are also dark brown to black. Young C. costae gain mature appearance by the age of one year (Mallette 1990; Baltosser 1996).
Average mass: 3 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 3.1 g.
The breeding season of C. costae varies with latitude and habitat, but always takes place between the months of January and May. Males and females do not pair, their only interaction is that of mating. Males arrive at breeding sites about one week before females and their flight displays begin 1-3 weeks before the first clutch is laid.
Nest-building is by the females and takes place immediately before a nesting attempt and is completed within 4-5 days. Nests are located in shrubs or trees and are usually found 1-2 m above the ground, this also varying with habitat. Nests usually have a diameter of about 3-5 cm and a height of 2-4 cm.
Clutches consist of two eggs. The first of the eggs is laid within 1-2 days of nest completion, the second is laid two days after the first. Incubation period is 15-18 days, hatching of the eggs is staggered. Mothers feed their young by regurgitation, this continues even after the birds have left the nest (in about 20-23 days) until they are able to fill their own nutritional needs (about one week). Young reach sexual maturity during first year and take part in the next breeding season. Two broods in one season are uncommon (Mallette 1990; Baltosser 1996).
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous
Average time to hatching: 16 days.
Average eggs per season: 2.
Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a bird species in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It breeds in the arid region of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico; it winters in western Mexico.
Costa's hummingbird was formally described by the French ornithologist Jules Bourcier in 1839 and given the binomial name Ornismya costae.[3] Bourcier chose the specific epithet to honour the French nobleman Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa, Marquis de Beauregard (1806–1864).[4] The type locality is Magdalena Bay on the western coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.[5] Costa's hummingbird is now placed in the genus Calypte that was introduced in 1856 by John Gould.[6][7] The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[7]
Hybrids between this species and Anna's hummingbird, the black-chinned hummingbird as well as the broad-tailed hummingbird are known.[8]
This species is very small, a mature adult growing to only 3–3.5 in (7.6–8.9 cm) in length, a wingspan of 11 cm,[9] and an average weight of 3.05 g for males and 3.22 g for females.[10] The male has a mainly green back and flanks, a small black tail and wings, and patches of white below their gorgeted throat and tail. Its most distinguishing feature is its vibrant purple cap and throat with the throat feathers flaring out and back behind its head. The female is not as distinct as the male, having grayish-green above with a white underbelly.
Costa's hummingbird is fairly common in the arid brushy deserts and any nearby gardens of the Southwestern United States and the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico.
The male Costa's hummingbird's courtship display is a spirited series of swoops and arcing dives, carefully utilizing a proper angle to the sun to show off his violet plumage to impress prospective mates. Each high-speed dive will also pass within inches of the female, perched on a nearby branch, which will be accented by a high-pitched shriek that is produced by the tail. Separately, the male will perch and produce similar sounds in his song—except, the song is vocal rather than tail-generated.
The female constructs a small cup-shaped nest out of plant fibers, down, and at times spider silk, coated with lichen to hold it together.[11] The nest is situated on a yucca stalk or tree limb. The female lays just two eggs, which are white in color, which she will incubate for 15 to 18 days before the young hatch. The young leave the nest after 20 to 23 days.
Like all other hummingbird species, Costa's hummingbird feeds on flower nectar and any tiny insects that it happens to find in the flower petals.
As with other hummingbird species, it can slow down its metabolism during cold nights when it enters a hibernation-like state known as torpor and its heart and respiration rate are dramatically slowed.
The IUCN describes them as of least concern. The population is stable and there are no known threats. They are found in at least one protected area.[12]
Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a bird species in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It breeds in the arid region of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico; it winters in western Mexico.
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