In Latin, stellula means “little star,” an appropriate name for the tiny jewels we look forward to every spring and summer to adorn our flowers and feeders. Hummingbirds are named for the sound their wings make, beating anywhere from 20-80 beats per second.

The calliope hummingbird is the smallest long distance migrant in the world! These little stars make their way to Washington State every spring from their wintering grounds in the central and southern areas of Mexico.

You may see the calliope around Leavenworth but you are more likely to find them in the higher elevations above 2000 ft. Insects are a main prey item for hummingbirds. They forage aerially or do what is referred to as “hawking” or “fly catching” from branch tips. Their nests are made under an overhanging branch to protect them from weather and from predators. Lined with downy plant materials for insulation, spider webbing, lichen, bark and moss make up the exterior of the nest.

Observing the male doing aerial displays in shallow u-shaped dives for the female can help one identify the calliope hummingbird from other hummingbirds. Males seen close up show a beautiful deep red throat patch, not seen on females.