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Project Noah Nature School
Calypte anna
I've been hearing this hummingbird for about a month. It sounds like a nestling, really high pitched squeaking call. I finally discovered it was this hummingbird making the noise. It appears to be somewhat bigger than the usual hummingbirds I get, ~ 4". It has a green back, greenish breast, throat appears to be dark gray, straight beak, and a small fork in the tail. This is the first Anna's I've ever seen here. They aren't supposed to come this far north. The times they are a'changin.'
Rural scrub desert bordering riparian
Despite the cold (nighttime 20-40 degrees) it hasn't left to continue its migration. It may be injured in some way, but still seems to fly okay.
P.S. In addition to an i.d., I'm hoping to get advice on how to help this bird survive the cold. I've been putting out nectar with 3 parts water to one part sugar to give it extra energy. I'm also grinding up sun dried gammarus baby shrimp and putting it with nectar in a separate feeder. I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm doing the right things, and/or give me other suggestions.
Liam, I think you're right! The call sounds the same. I was able to take and upload some better photos that show a scattering of pink feathers on the face. Thanks so much for your help with the i.d.
Looks like a female Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), but I'm no expert on Western hummers.
florida33girl, allaboutbirds has a recording of Magnificent Hummingbird (beautiful bird!) calls. This bird doesn't sound quite like that. It sounds similar to a blue-throated hummingbird call with the really high pitched squeaks, http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/blue-....
Thanks so much for your comment!
Could it be a female Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)? I'm not as familiar with all the wonderful hummingbird species you're lucky enough to have in your area. Looking forward to getting a definitive answer from a hummingbird expert out there!
Spotted on Nov 16, 2011
Submitted on Nov 16, 2011
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