Calliope Hummingbird or Broad-Tailed Hummingbird?
Here's how to tell the difference
Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
General appearance
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird at a size of 2 3/4-3 1/4 inches or 7-8 cm, comparable to a Sparrow. It features a short, rounded tail with a square tip. The wings are narrow and rounded. Colorations include green, orange, purple, and red.
Male vs female
The adult male Calliope Hummingbird displays distinctive magenta stripes on its throat and pale green on its sides. Females, as well as younger birds, are smaller than female Rufous Hummingbirds, and have a shorter bill. They also show a pale buff wash across their chest. Females possess very little rusty color at the base of their tail, differentiating them from the males.
Juvenile
Juvenile Calliope Hummingbirds are similar to females in size, with a shorter bill. They also share the characteristic of a pale buff wash clearly seen across their chest. Differences may emerge with seasonal variations, which influence their appearance.
Size
3.1 - 3.5 in/0.1 oz
There's more to learn about Calliope Hummingbird
View full detailsBroad-Tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
General appearance
The broad-tailed hummingbird measures 4-4 1/2 inches (10-11 cm) in length. It displays a unique coloration pattern with a green back, the sides, and distinct pearlescent hues. The tail is multi-pointed, notched, rounded, and square-tipped, embodying a rusty orange color. Their wings are narrow, rounded, and short, akin to that of a sparrow.
Male vs female
Males are identifiable with a rose-colored throat, contributing to their vibrant display. In contrast, females bear a green coat above with buff tones on the sides. They are distinguishable from the female Rufous Hummingbird by their larger tail. Seasonal variations in appearance may occur, particularly in males.
Juvenile
Juvenile broad-tailed hummingbirds retain a semblance to young male Anna's hummingbirds found in the western regions. Identification markers for juveniles are not specifically mentioned, but they are likely to possess less vibrant, more uniform coloration than adults, following the general pattern in avian species.
Size
3.3 - 3.8 in/0.1 oz
There's more to learn about Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
View full detailsHow to tell the Calliope Hummingbird from the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Visual differences
The Calliope Hummingbird measures about 3 inches and is the smallest in the United States, while the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird is larger at about 4 inches. The male Calliope has magenta throat stripes and a shorter bill; the Broad-Tailed male features a rose-colored throat. The Calliope's tail is short and square, and the Broad-Tailed's is elongated and notched. Both species display green plumage, but the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird shows pearlescent hues and rusty orange on its tail.
Key differences and behavior
Calliope and Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Calliope Hummingbirds, residing in open forests and terrains from 4,000 feet, engage in U-shaped display dives and a sputtering buzz from their tail feathers during courtship, with the male often driving other males away. In contrast, Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds occupy higher elevations, up to 10,000 feet, performing loops and dives with wing-produced buzzing heard up to 250 feet as their courtship ritual. While both species consume nectar and insects, Calliopes favor second growth areas, and Broad-Tails prefer red tubular flowers. Both species' females handle nesting and chick care alone, with Calliopes opting for lower elevation nests compared to Broad-Tails' higher locations. Despite similar diets, these behavioral and habitat preferences aid in field identification.
Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!
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Broad-Tailed Hummingbird vs Rufous Hummingbird
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird vs Allen's Hummingbird
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