Hummingbirds of Baja

In the southern tip of Baja we have only two common types of hummingbirds. Rarely we will find an Anna’s, or Black-chin, here but they are rare.

Our two native hummingbirds are the Xantus – Hylocharis xantusii – and the Costa’s – Calypte costae.

The Xantus is endemic to southern Baja and is often a candidate for some birder’s life list

The bird shown here is the female. The male is similar but has a bright green breast. Fairly common, but found only in southern Baja.

Close-up showing the distinctive eye stripe

male Costa’s Hummingbird

The Costa’s Hummingbird is found in southern California, southern Nevada and Mexico south to Central America. The male has a gorget (chin feathers) that shine a bright purple when the light is right, otherwise the gorget appears black, as show here.

female Costa’s Hummingbird

The female Costa’s lacks the bright purple gorget.

John Spencer

Bird Photographer located in southern Baja, Mexico

• Web
|
• More Posts (7)