Anna's Hummingbird vs Common Starling
Calypte anna comparé à Sturnus vulgaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Anna's Hummingbird | Common Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Calypte anna | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Ordre | Caprimulgiformes | Passeriformes |
| Famille | Trochilidae | Sturnidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 10,0 cm (3.9 in) | 21,5 cm (8.5 in) |
| Envergure | 12,0 cm (4.7 in) | 37,0 cm (14.6 in) |
| Poids | 4,3 g (0.15 oz) | 78,0 g (2.75 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Nectar, small insects, and tree sap. Visits a wide variety of native and ornamental flowering … | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2 | 4-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Anna's Hummingbird only
Aucun(e)
Common Starling only
Anna's Hummingbird
Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, gardens, parks, and open woodland along the Pacific coast. One of few hummingbirds not fully migratory.
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
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.
Common Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
Geographic Range & Migration
Anna's Hummingbird
Western North America from southern British Columbia along the Pacific coast to Baja California. Range has expanded northward.
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Anna's Hummingbird
Common Starling
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
Common Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
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.
Common Starling
The common starling is famous for its murmurations — vast swirling flocks of thousands that create mesmerizing patterns in winter skies. An accomplished mimic, it can imitate other birds, car alarms, and phone ringtones. Introduced to North America by a group intent on establishing every bird mentioned by Shakespeare.