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Calypte anna
Lesson Field
Guide IDs: BREEDING:
Open woodland,
chaparral, gardens. 2, possibly 3 broods DISPLAYS:
Male flight
describes arc of vertical circle before female;
rising very high, plummets downward making
explosive chirp sound at lowest point, then rises
straight above female, hovers and faces her at top
of ascent, delivering brief squeaky song. Male
chases female to nesting area, then, with body held
horizontally, male flies rapidly back and forth in
short, tight arcs above female. NEST:
Varied; often in
oak, also vine, brush, and human-built structures;
thick, well insulated, of plant down bound with
spider's silk, lined with plant down and feathers.
Building continues after eggs laid; lichen added to
exterior. Usu built in 7 (range 3-14)
days. EGGS:
White, unmarked.
0.5" (13 mm). DIET:
Includes spiders;
tree sap. CONSERVATION:
Winters s to c Baja
and to n w Mexico. Range expanding to n. Widespread
planting of eucalyptus and provision of artificial
and exotic floral nectar sources year-round in
gardens have led to permanent residency by many
birds in coastal CA and likely increased
abundance. NOTES:
Fond of bathing,
usu in dew-covered foliage. Post-breeding movement
of migrants from coast to montane habitats. Defends
feeding territories in nonbreeding
season. Abundant throughout
campus, nesting in virtually any type of tree or
tall shrub, even in areas with heavy human
activity. Nesting occurs throughout the winter,
spring, and summer, peaking in late winter and
spring. Concentrations may be present at flowering
trees, such as eucalyptus. ESSAYS: Nonvocal
Sounds;
Hummingbirds,
Nectar, and Water;
Hovering
Flight;
Hummingbird
Foraging Bouts;
Coevolution;
Optimally
Foraging Hummers;
Range
Expansion;
Bathing
and Dusting;
Feeding
Birds REFERENCES:
Ewald and Orians,
1983; Powers, 1987; Stiles, 1972, 1982. |
