Vancouver is playing host to two significant bird events this week — the 27th International Ornithological Congress, which takes place every four years and attracts ornithologists (bird scientists) from around the world, and the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Festival.
Each week leading up to the festival and congress, which runs until Sunday, Aug. 26, we’ve highlight a different bird and this week’s bird is Vancouver’s official bird — Anna’s hummingbird.
British Columbia is home to 573 species of birds and many can be found in and around Vancouver.
Bird of the Week
Anna’s Hummingbird
Species Name
Calypte anna
Appearance
Length: 10-11 centimetres
Wingspan: 3 centimetres
Weight: 3-6 grams
A medium-sized hummingbird with a long, straight, thin bill, narrow, pointed wings and a thin tail that is slightly forked in males.
The male has an iridescent bronze-green back, green belly and flanks, grey chest and brilliant crimson-pink throat and crown. The female has a green crown and less colouring on the throat. Juveniles look similar in appearance to females.
Habitat/Behaviour
Anna’s hummingbirds live in open-wooded, lightly forested or shrubby areas and mountain meadows.
While the majority of their diet is nectar, they will also take insects that they catch in flight and may occasionally feed on tree sap.
Breeding
Anna’s hummingbirds are seasonally monogamous, build woven cup-shaped nests, lay two white eggs and have two to three broods.
The female builds the nest on her own using very small twigs, lichen and moss. She lines it with downy feathers or animal hair and uses cobwebs to tie it all together.
More about birds:
- Get the Vancouver bird checklist online or on your iPhone
- 10 simple birding tips
- Check out more on the 27th International Ornithological Congress and all the events planned for the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Festival
Source: Vancouver International Bird Festival
