Texas Hummingbird Roundup:
Costa's (Calypte costae)

Costa's Hummingbird
(Calypte costae)
Artwork © 2005 TPWD

This small, dumpy, short-tailed bird with a thick neck is a review species in Texas. While most occurrences in Texas have been in mountainous regions of west Texas, this bird has occurred on the Edward’s Plateau, in the south Texas brush country and on the coast.

This bird is a Texas Bird Records Committee review species. All occurrences should be reported to the committee with detailed documentation to enhance our knowledge of this bird in the state.

Identifying Features (Male):

• Purple crown and throat
• Slightly curved short bill
• Short black tail
• White “eyebrow”
• Long flared gorget
• White patch on neck behind gorget.
• Wingtips project just beyond the tip of the tail

Identifying Features (Female):

• Slightly curved short bill
• Lightly marked throat
• Whitish underparts
• Short, paddle like tail tipped in white
• Completely pale eye band separates the gray cheek from the green crown
• Wingtips project just beyond the tip of the tail