Zippy, The Second Smallest Bird In North America

At 7.6-8.9 cm (and 3 g), the Costa's  is a contender for the smallest hummingbird in North America, but loses a close race to the Calliope, which ranges from 7.0-10 cm (2-3 g).

Take a close up and personal look at Zippy.  His stunning purple gorget is not visible because it is not in direct sunlight.

Zippy, this tiny  Costa's, who soars (doesn't hover like other hummers) from place to place,  has become the light of my life.


General Hummer info:

Hummingbirds do not spend all day flying, as the energy cost would be prohibitive; spending an average of 10–15% of their time feeding and 75–80% sitting and perching.

Hummingbirds eat many small meals and consume approximately twice their weight in nectar each day , if the nectar is 25% sugar, and get the rest of their nutrients from insects.

Hummingbirds digest their food rapidly due to their small size and high metabolism, retaining their energy for about an hour. They are continuously hours away from starving to death and are able to store just enough energy to survive overnight.

A group of hummingbirds has many collective nouns.  They include a “bouquet", "glittering", "hover", "shimmer", and "tune” of hummingbirds.