Range & Migration

The smallest bird found in North America north of Mexico. Favors mountain areas and alpine meadows of the Northwest U.S.

Calliope Hummingbirds primarily breed at high elevations in the mountains of northwestern United States and Canada into Alaska. In Canada, they occur from southern British Columbia and Alberta, and also south to Colorado, Nevada and southern California and Arizona.

During spring and summer they travel through Arizona and New Mexico and northern Mexico, to winter in southwestern Mexico as well as in Guatemala and Belize.

Characteristics and Identification

Very short bill and tail. Only hummingbird with a streaked throat. Carmine streaks on male's throat are V-shaped.

Female shows some red on throat. Immature male shows red by late summer.