Calliope Hummingbird -- South Dakota Birds

Calliope Hummingbird

Stellula calliope

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird found in the United States, weighing only one-tenth of one ounce, and only reaching 3 inches in length.  Despite their small size and delicate appearance, they breed in the relatively cold and harsh higher elevations of the western United States and Canada, and migrate all the way to southern Mexico for the winter.  

Habitat: In its summer breeding habitat, they are found at high elevations in the western mountains of the U.S. and Mexico.  They prefer shrubby areas, often near a water source.  They commonly use clear-cut forest areas that have experienced some shrubby second-growth.  They can be found in nearly any kind of habitat during migration.

Diet: Feeds primarily on nectar. Also will feed on tiny insects, and will drink sap from holes created by sapsuckers.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Generally silent, but with occasional high tsip, sometimes repeated.

Migrations: Summers in the mountains of the western United States and Canada.  Winters in southern Mexico. 

Similar Species: Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Feeders: Will attend hummingbird feeders for sugar water.

Status: Generally stable throughout it's normal range.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Calliope Hummingbird

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Calliope Hummingbird"

3) E-nature.com: Calliope Hummingbird

Photo Information: Out-of-state photo (female) - Red Rocks State Park near Sedona, Arizona - September 7th, 2006 - Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Calliope Hummingbird photos.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08