Anna's Hummingbird vs Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

Calypte anna compared with Pampa pampa

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Anna's Hummingbird Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Scientific Name Calypte anna Pampa pampa
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length 10.0 cm (3.9 in)
Wingspan 12.0 cm (4.7 in)
Weight 4.3 g (0.15 oz) 7.016666666666667 g (0.25 oz)
Diet Nectar, small insects, and tree sap. Visits a wide variety of native and ornamental flowering … Hovering nectarivore of lowland and montane forest, probing Heliconia and garden flowers. Supplements with insects …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Anna's Hummingbird 10.0 cm
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Wingspan
Anna's Hummingbird 12.0 cm
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Weight
Anna's Hummingbird 4.3 g
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing 7.016666666666667 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Anna's Hummingbird only

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing only

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

Song

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.

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

Song

Melodic, descending four-note phrase; clear flute-like tones stepping downward smoothly in relaxed progression.

Geographic Range & Migration

Anna's Hummingbird

Western North America from southern British Columbia along the Pacific coast to Baja California. Range has expanded northward.

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

Found in humid foothill forests from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Resident in montane forest undergrowth.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Anna's Hummingbird

Not Evaluated

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

How to Tell Them Apart

Anna's Hummingbird

Plumage

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.

Bill

Medium-length, straight, thin black bill

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

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.

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing

A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid foothill forests from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Green plumage with a wedge-shaped tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers. Named for its distinctively wedge-shaped tail.

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