Quick Answers
The main differences between the Costa’s hummingbird and the calliope hummingbird are:
- Size – The Costa’s hummingbird is larger than the calliope hummingbird
- Range – The Costa’s hummingbird is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, while the calliope hummingbird has a more northern range in western North America
- Bill shape – The Costa’s hummingbird has a shorter, more curved bill compared to the calliope’s straight, needle-like bill
- Color – Male Costa’s hummingbirds have purple crowns, while male calliopes have bright reddish-pink throats
- Behavior – Costa’s hummingbirds are more aggressive than calliopes and will defend flower patches
Taxonomy and Identification
Both the Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) and the calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) are small, brightly colored birds in the family Trochilidae, the only family comprising the hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are restricted to the Americas. There are over 300 described hummingbird species.
The Costa’s hummingbird was first described in 1864 by George Newbold Lawrence from a specimen collected in southern California. The calliope hummingbird was described in 1851 by Prince C. L. Bonaparte based on a specimen from the Rocky Mountains.
Identification of hummingbird species can be tricky due to their small size and similarities in appearance. However, there are some key differences between Costa’s and calliope hummingbirds:
- Size – Costa’s hummingbirds reach 3.5 inches in length and weigh around 0.1 ounces. Calliope hummingbirds are smaller at 3 inches in length and 0.05 ounces in weight.
- Bill shape – The Costa’s hummingbird has a shorter bill that is slightly decurved. The calliope has a long, straight, needle-thin bill. This is one of the most reliable differences between the species.
- Males – Adult male Costa’s have a vivid purple crown and throat. Calliope males have brightly iridescent reddish-pink throats and more subtle forked tail markings.
- Females – Female Costa’s have white-tipped outer tail feathers, while female calliopes have rounded tail tips with white edging.
Range and Habitat
Costa’s and calliope hummingbirds occupy different ranges and prefer different habitat types:
Costa’s hummingbird range:
- Year-round range – Southern California south to southern Baja California
- Summer breeding range – Southwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and extreme southwestern Utah and New Mexico
- Prefers arid scrub, desert washes, and semi-open woodlands, often near water sources
Calliope hummingbird range:
- Breeds across western North America from British Columbia south to northern Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains
- Winters in central Mexico south to the Transverse Volcanic Belt
- Most associated with relatively moist habitats like mountain meadows, brushy hillsides, and open pine-oak or fir forests
So while there is some overlap in their southern ranges, the Costa’s hummingbird is more of a desert southwest species, while the calliope occupies more northern latitudes and mesic mountain habitats.
Behavior and Feeding
Hummingbirds share some general behaviors as highly active, territorial nectar feeders. However, there are some differences between Costa’s and calliopes:
Costa’s hummingbird behavior:
- Aggressive – Males defend floral resources and will chase away other hummingbirds.
- Exhibits site fidelity – Returns to the same breeding and wintering grounds each year.
- Nectar feeding – Feeds mainly on nectar from flowers of plants like ocotillo, palo verde, and chuparosa.
- Insect feeding – Also eats small insects such as gnats, midges, whiteflies, and spiders.
Calliope hummingbird behavior:
- Timid – Less aggressive about defending feeding areas compared to other hummingbirds.
- Traplining – Visits a regular circuit of flower patches rather than defending territories.
- Nectar feeding – Favors the nectar of fireweed, columbines, paintbrushes, and other mountain flowers.
- Insect feeding – Hawks tiny insects while hovering; also eats spiders and tree sap.
Key differences are the more aggressive nature of the Costa’s and traplining feeding strategy of the calliope. Both supplement their nectar diet with small invertebrates.
Breeding
The Costa’s and calliope hummingbirds build very small, compact nests in different types of sites:
Costa’s hummingbird breeding:
- Nest placement – Low branches of trees, cacti, yucca stalks, or other vegetation
- Nest materials – Spider silk, down feathers, bud scales, and hairs; bound with saliva
- Clutch size – Usually 2 tiny white eggs
- Incubation – Female incubates eggs for 14-19 days
- Nestlings – Fledge after 20-23 days in the nest
Calliope hummingbird breeding:
- Nest placement – On evergreen branches high in trees or on wires and poles
- Nest materials – Covered in lichens bound with spider webs; exceptionally well camouflaged
- Clutch size – Usually 2 white eggs
- Incubation – For 15-17 days by the female
- Nestlings – Fledge after 21-25 days in the nest
Key differences are the placement and decoration of the tiny nests. Both species invest heavily in their camouflaged nests and breed in similar ways.
Migration
The Costa’s hummingbird is relatively sedentary, while the calliope hummingbird migrates longer distances:
Costa’s hummingbird migration:
- Mostly resident within breeding range year-round
- May migrate short distances seasonally
- Northernmost birds migrate south to southern California and Mexico for the winter
Calliope hummingbird migration:
- Neotropical migrant that breeds in the north and winters in Mexico
- One of the smallest birds to complete a long-distance migration
- Travels 3,000 miles or more between breeding and wintering grounds
The Costa’s hummingbird is mostly sedentary and limited in distribution, while the migratory calliope hummingbird undertakes some of the most incredible migrations relative to its tiny body size.
Conservation Status
Both species are currently thriving:
Costa’s hummingbird:
- Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
- Total population estimated at over 200,000 birds
- Has adapted well to artificial feeders, gardens, and urban areas
Calliope hummingbird:
- Also listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
- Has a very large range and population estimated at 5 million
- Population considered stable; benefits from some habitat modification
Neither species is currently considered threatened or endangered. They have adapted to take advantage of human-provided food sources like feeders. Gardens, parks, and urban areas may provide habitat, and climate change may shift their ranges. Continued monitoring is important for these smallest of pollinators.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Costa’s and calliope hummingbirds are both tiny, nectar-feeding birds, they differ significantly in their size, appearance, geographic ranges, habitat preferences, behavior, migration patterns, and conservation status. Understanding these differences helps us appreciate the diversity of hummingbirds and how evolution has shaped the unique traits of each species. Proper identification is key to conserving their varied and specialized roles in pollination ecosystems across the Americas. Appreciating their diminutive size, flashy colors, remarkable flying abilities, and demanding lifestyles can inspire us to protect the habitats they depend on through each stage of their annual cycles.
