Little Costa's Hummingbird

by Robert Bales

Title

Little Costa's Hummingbird

Artist

Robert Bales

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

Costa's Hummingbird is a desert species restricted to the far southwest and retreating just south of the border in winter months. Adult males have an extravagant loop and dive display that tells other birds its species and fitness. Its total distribution in both breeding and nonbreeding seasons is small. This, combined with widespread habitat destruction and alteration, has landed this bird on the Audubon WatchList.
Costa's are most abundant in the deserts of southern California and Arizona from March to April at the height of the breeding season. Females care for the young on their own, as is custom among hummingbirds. Nests are built in shrubs and trees with variable cover, depending on climate and dominant vegetation. The nests are located only 1-2 m above ground and are usually shallow, loosely constructed, and flimsy. A clutch of two is laid anywhere from February to May, depending on location, and incubated for 15-18 days, with young fledging 20-23 days later. A second clutch is attempted if the first one fails. By late June they have dispersed to coastal habitats.

Uploaded

December 5th, 2012

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