ML434961721

Age and sex

Adult Male - 1

Behaviors

Flying

Media notes

Male Calliope Hummingbird photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 10 April 2022 at the Lake Tamarisk community, Desert Center, Riverside County, California.

Observation details

While checking out the hummingbirds that were coming in to feeders in yards along the north side of the main lake, I spotted a male Calliope at one of these feeders. Although this bird was relatively close and in good light, it did not spend a great deal of time at the feeder, and it was chased off quickly, though it returned to the feeder a second time for a short period of time. I never heard this bird vocalize and given that I was trying to get photos, I did not study it all that carefully. I nevertheless noted that this was a conspicuously small bird that appeared to be slightly smaller than the bird that chased it off, which I thought was a male Black-chinned Hummingbird. I also noted that it was compact in shape, with a relatively short tail and a moderately long, tubular bill, but in general, my views were sufficient to note that it was a very small, plump bird with a short neck, a relatively large head, and whirring wings. Clearly apparent was that the upperparts were a deep, iridescent green, but the underparts were paler and more whitish. I cannot now recall whether this bird had a greenish or buffy wash to the flanks, but I did think they were darker than the central underparts. Also clearly apparent was that the gorget represented long, slim feathers that were wine-red when they caught the sun, which resulted in a streaked appearance to the throat. I have some recollection of seeing a green crown, but I now have little or no recollection of noting the patterns on the face or tail. Given the brevity of my views and my concentration on getting photos, I suspect my photos will show more on this bird that I can recall from my field observations.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

320

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

1570 pixels x 1054 pixels

Original file size

2.17 MB