Birds of Mount Shasta Hummingbirds

Entry 52. Calypte anna. Anna Hummingbird. [Anna's Hummingbird]

Apparently breeding at Wagon Camp, where one was shot July 22 by John H. Sage. Breeds on the lower McCloud River (Townsend).

Anna's Hummingbird Feeding © 1999 Doug Von Gausig.

Entry 53. Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingbird.

The commonest hummingbird of Shasta, breeding, apparently, from the lower edge of the Shasta firs to timberline, thought it is possible that those seen at high altitudes had moved up to feed from the painted cups in the heather meadows after the breeding season was over. At Wagon Camp, where they were abundant in July and early August, they seemed to feed chiefly from the scarlet painted cup (Castilleja miniata).

Wing-beat and chirping of Rufous Hummingbird while feeding © 1999 Doug Von Gausig.

Entry 54. Stellula calliope. Calliope Hummingbird.

Nearly as abundant as Selasphorus rufus, and the commoner of the two at high altitudes. In early August both species were constantly hovering over the superb flowers of the scarlet paint brush (Castilleja miniata) in the heather meadows near timberline. They were seen also visiting the large yellow blossoms of (Mimulus implexus), which singular species forms mucilaginous beds in the little streams at and below timberline. Walter K. and R.T. Fisher found them abundant in Ash Creek Canyon about the first of August, particularly among the painted cups and delphiniums.