The Anna’s Hummingbird is a small and dazzling bird that belongs to the hummingbird family, Trochilidae, which includes over 300 species of nectar-feeding birds. It is native to the western coastal regions of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It was named after Anna Masséna, the Duchess of Rivoli, who was a friend of the French naturalist René Lesson, who first described the bird in 1829.

The Anna’s Hummingbird has a black bill, a slender body, and a long tail. It measures about 10 cm (4 inches) in length and weighs about 4 g (0.14 oz). It has a distinctive crest that can be raised or lowered, depending on its mood. The crest and throat are iridescent, and change color depending on the angle of light. The male has a bright red or pink crest and throat, while the female has a green crest and a red or pink spot on the throat. The rest of the plumage is mostly green above and gray below, with some white on the belly and tail.

The Anna’s Hummingbird lives in a variety of habitats, such as forests, woodlands, gardens, and parks. It is a common and conspicuous bird, especially in urban and suburban areas, where it feeds on ornamental flowers and hummingbird feeders. It also eats insects and spiders, which it catches in the air or picks from the vegetation. It has a loud and harsh voice, and can produce a variety of sounds, including imitations of other birds, animals, and human noises. It has a distinctive chuckling call note, and a song that resembles a robin’s but is clearer and less nasal.

The Anna’s Hummingbird breeds from December to June, depending on the location. It is one of the earliest breeding birds in North America, and can start nesting as early as November in some areas. It builds a cup-shaped nest of plant fibers, spider webs, and lichen, usually in a shrub or a tree. The female lays two white eggs, which she incubates for about 16 days. The male does not help with the nest or the young, but may mate with several females. The chicks are fed by the female for about 21 days, until they are ready to leave the nest.

The Anna’s Hummingbird is a resident bird that does not migrate. It can tolerate cold temperatures, and can enter a state of torpor at night to conserve energy. It is not threatened by extinction, and has a large and stable population. However, it may face some threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, as well as from predators, parasites, and diseases. Therefore, it is important to protect and conserve its natural environment, and to appreciate its beauty and role in the ecosystem.