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Taxonomy: Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Subphylum:Vertebrata Class:Aves Order:Apodiformes Family:Trochilidae Subfamily:Trochilinae Genus:Calypte Gould Species:Calypte Costae Habitat: Costa's Hummingbird’s are found on the west coast. They are desert & semi-dessert dwellers. They breed in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of California and Arizona. They migrate when the weather gets too hot and move to bushy areas, chaparrals, open meadows, mountains, and gardens. Phylogeny: These birds are from the Southwestern parts of North America. They are in the Phylum Chordata and are classified as deuterostomes (mouth second) and are distinguished by the 4 stages of early embryotic development which are having a noto cord, nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, and a post anal tail. Life Cycle & Life Span: Coasta's Hummingbirds usually breed in late winter and spring. Most hummingbirds die during their first year of life. But if they survive that year they may live up to 3 or 4 years. Habits: Male & Females don’t bond. Males are promiscuous and mate with multiple females while the females build nests and care for their young. They feed on nectar and can eat small insects. Interesting Info • Males are the pretty ones with the purple feathers. • Enter a torpid state where heart rate slows to 50 beats per minute from an average 500-900. • Males sing a song with their vocals & their tail feathers as a courtship display. Measurements Length 3.5 in Wingspan 4.3 in Weight: 0.1 oz The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds. Costa’s Hummingbird. (2013) Retrieved July 16, 2013, from Cornell University Web Site: (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Costas_Hummingbird/id). ITIS Report Retrieved July 16, 2013 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Web Site: (http://www.itis.gov). The Animal Files. Retrieved July 16, 2013, from Web Site: (http://www.theanimalfiles.com/birds/hummingbirds_swifts/costas_hummingbird.html). Kristi Estrada
