Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) is in the Hummingbirds family (Trochilidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 15,329 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Costa's Hummingbird: observations by month (U.S.)
About Costa's Hummingbird
Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a species of hummingbird.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Costa's Hummingbird by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,305 | April | Oct–Jul |
| Arizona | 4,189 | March | Oct–May |
| Nevada | 731 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Utah | 31 | May | Feb–May |
| Oregon | 26 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Texas | 19 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Nebraska | 8 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Michigan | 5 | November | Nov–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Hummingbirds)
Anna's Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Costa's Hummingbird?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from September to July.
Where is Costa's Hummingbird most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Arizona, Nevada.