Species › Birds › Calliope Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird

Selasphorus calliope

UncommonBird
Illustration of Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America and the smallest long-distance migrant in the world, weighing only about 2.5 grams — less than a penny. Despite its tiny size, it migrates from Mexico to mountain meadows in western Canada. The male has a distinctive gorget of wine-red streaks that looks like an abbreviated mustache.

Habitat
Mountain meadows, riparian shrubs, and forest edges
Diet
Nectar from mountain wildflowers and small insects
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Calliope Hummingbird

The best time to see a Calliope Hummingbird is April–July, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,581 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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