Scientific Name: Calypte costae

Residency: Resides year-round along the southwestern edge of Arizona. During the summer, resides throughout western and southern parts of the state. Resides in desert habitat, except during the hottest days of summer when it moves to chaparral, scrub or woodland habitats.

Diet: Flower nectar, small insects, hummingbird feeders (some will stay the winter if a consistent food source is available, such as a hummingbird feeder).

Predators:  Snakes, Loggerhead Shrike, Cactus Wren, Common Raven, Scrub Jays, and Gray Thrashers.

Nesting: The small cup-shaped nest is placed in a low protected area in a tree, shrub, cactus, sage, or yucca stalk. Lays 2-3 white, bean-sized eggs per clutch (one brood per year).

Nesting Records: 

Notes: The Costa?s Hummingbird is currently on the National Audubon Society?s Watchlist due to severe declines in its populations over the last few decades.  These declines have been attributed to many factors affecting habitat loss, such as urban and agricultural development, cattle grazing, and the planting of buffel grass for cattle - a plant that fuels fires, thus destroying native plants that aren?t fire resistant, but which are vital to this species for food and nesting sites.

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