Costa's Hummingbird is a desert specialist that times its breeding to peak in early spring when desert wildflowers bloom most abundantly. The male has a stunning violet-purple crown and gorget with elongated side feathers that flare dramatically. After breeding, it migrates to coastal California and Baja California rather than continuing to tropical wintering grounds.
Best time to see a Costa's Hummingbird
The best time to see a Costa's Hummingbird is January–June, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,901 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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