costas hummingbird

Description:

smaller than the similar anna's, with a gorget that flares down the side - and pruple rather than reddish, these two costa's caused a stir among the local birders when reported both on the same day and in the same yard for the Great Backyard Bird count. Sibleys shows them as rare north of the SF Bay Area

Habitat:

Bayside garden

Notes:

For the last 5 years or so, I've had them at my house in february and then again late May sometimes all winter, but usually leaving with the first big frost. These two about 20 miles away were something of a surprise. I'm starting to suspect the hybrids noted by Sibley are becoming more common, or perhaps the spcies is moving north with climate change