Anna's Hummingbird vs Andean Hillstar
Calypte anna compared with Oreotrochilus estella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Anna's Hummingbird | Andean Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calypte anna | Oreotrochilus estella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 10.0 cm (3.9 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 12.0 cm (4.7 in) | 14.4 cm (5.7 in) |
| Weight | 4.3 g (0.15 oz) | 8.299999999999999 g (0.29 oz) |
| Diet | Nectar, small insects, and tree sap. Visits a wide variety of native and ornamental flowering … | Nectarivore of high-altitude puna and páramo; specializes in Chuquiraga and Puya flowers. Catches small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Anna's Hummingbird
Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, gardens, parks, and open woodland along the Pacific coast. One of few hummingbirds not fully migratory.
Song & Call Comparison
Anna's Hummingbird
Male produces a complex, scratchy song with buzzy 'dzzzzt' notes. Gives a nasal 'chee-chee-chee'. Males sing year-round, even in winter; one of few hummingbirds with true song.
Andean Hillstar
High, wavering trill with trembling quality; rapid series of notes with slight pitch modulation giving vibrato effect.
Geographic Range & Migration
Anna's Hummingbird
Western North America from southern British Columbia along the Pacific coast to Baja California. Range has expanded northward.
Andean Hillstar
Widespread in Andean puna of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina at 3,000–5,000 m. Resident.
Conservation Status
Anna's Hummingbird
Andean Hillstar
How to Tell Them Apart
Anna's Hummingbird
Metallic bronze-green upperparts. Males have an iridescent rose-red crown and gorget. Females have green upperparts with grey underparts and a small red gorget patch.
Medium-length, straight, thin black bill
Andean Hillstar
Santa Marta Woodstar: tiny; males with brilliant magenta-red gorget; metallic green crown; white underparts; females green above with spots
About These Birds
Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's hummingbird is the most common hummingbird along the Pacific coast and one of only three species resident in the United States year-round. Males perform spectacular dive displays, plummeting from 40 meters and pulling up with a loud chirp produced by tail feathers. Their body temperature can drop to near ambient at night to conserve energy.
Andean Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-14 cm) found in the high Andes from Peru to Argentina and Chile at 3,500-5,000 m. Green plumage with a white breast. One of the highest-living hummingbird species, entering torpor at night to survive freezing temperatures. Nectarivore of Chuquiraga and cacti.