Birds diurnal

Costa's Hummingbird

Calypte costae

The Costa's Hummingbird is the 'Desert Gem' of the Southwest, famous for the male's stunning violet crown and dramatic, mustache-like throat feathers. A master of arid survival, this tiny bird brings a flash of royal purple to any backyard garden.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 3–3.5 in (7.6–8.9 cm); Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm); Weight: 0.1 oz (2.5–3 g)

palette

Colors

Males feature a brilliant iridescent purple crown and throat with long 'mustache' flares; females are metallic green above with white underparts.

visibility

Key Features

Extensive purple gorget extending into long points on the sides of the neck
Very short tail that does not reach the wingtips when perched
Compact, hunched posture
High-pitched, thin whistling song

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6-10 AM and 4 PM to sunset

calendar_month

Season February-June in the US; year-round in Mexico

restaurant

Diet Primarily floral nectar from desert-adapted plants and sugar-water from feeders; also captures small flying insects and spiders for essential protein.

park

Habitat Arid deserts, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and xeriscaped suburban gardens in the Southwest.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Costa's Hummingbirds are the quintessential desert dwellers of the hummingbird world. To survive the extreme temperature swings of the arid Southwest, they are masters of energy conservation. On particularly cold desert nights, they can enter a state of torpor, drastically slowing their heart rate and lowering their body temperature to save vital calories. Unlike some of their more aggressive relatives, Costa's tend to be more elusive, often perching high on thin, dead branches to survey their territory.

During the breeding season, males perform a spectacular courtship display. They fly in wide, high-speed U-shaped loops, emitting a continuous high-pitched whistle that is actually produced by their tail feathers. In garden settings, they are frequent visitors to nectar sources but are often easily intimidated by larger species like the Anna's Hummingbird, preferring to wait their turn or feed on the fringes of a garden.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the legendary 'glowing' purple head of a male Costa's Hummingbird, lighting is your most critical factor. The iridescent feathers act like tiny prisms, meaning they only show color when the light hits them at the correct angle. Position your camera so the sun is behind it (shining directly onto the bird's face). A 45-degree side-angle to a feeder or a favorite flower like Chuparosa or Desert Honeysuckle usually yields the best results for capturing those dramatic purple throat flares.

Because Costa's are among the smallest hummingbirds, they can easily get lost in a wide-angle frame. For the best AI detection and detail, set your camera's focus zone within 12 to 24 inches of a landing spot. Rather than aiming directly at a busy feeder, look for a 'sentinel' perch nearby—usually a thin, bare twig or the top of a tall stalk. These birds love to sit and scan for rivals between feedings, providing the perfect still-life opportunity for your camera to capture high-resolution images without the motion blur of wingbeats.

In terms of settings, use the highest frame rate possible (at least 60fps) if your camera supports it. This allows you to see the incredible mechanics of their hovering flight in slow motion. During the hottest months, Costa's are highly attracted to moving water. A camera placed near a birdbath with a 'wiggler' or a fine-mist sprayer will capture unique bathing behaviors that you won't see at a standard nectar feeder. Early spring is the best time for backyard sightings in California and Arizona, as this coincides with their peak breeding and nesting season.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Costa's Hummingbird.

Anna's Hummingbird

Larger with a rose-red crown and throat; lacks the long, flared 'mustache' feathers of the Costa's.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Male has a black throat with a thin purple strip at the base, but lacks the solid purple crown seen on the Costa's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Costa's Hummingbirds are most active during the cooler hours of the early morning and late afternoon. During the peak heat of the desert day, they often retreat to shaded perches to conserve energy.

The best way to attract them is by planting native desert flora such as Ocotillo, Chuparosa, and various Salvia species. They are also frequent visitors to sugar-water feeders (using a 4:1 water to white sugar ratio).

Their diet consists of nectar for energy and small insects or spiders for protein. They are particularly fond of tube-shaped flowers found in arid environments.

Yes, especially in Southern California and Arizona. They have adapted well to suburban gardens that utilize xeriscaping and provide nectar-rich plants or feeders.

Look at the throat: the male Costa's has long, pointed purple feathers that flare out like a mustache, whereas the Anna's has a shorter, rose-red gorget. Costa's are also noticeably smaller and have shorter tails.

Record Costa's Hummingbird at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo