1. Whirring Wings: The wings of the Calliope Hummingbird produce a distinctive whirring sound during flight, earning them the nickname "flying jewels." These tiny birds beat their wings at an astonishing rate of up to 80 times per second.

2. Long-Distance Migrants: Despite their small size, Calliope Hummingbirds undertake one of the longest migratory journeys of any North American hummingbird species. They travel thousands of miles each year between their breeding grounds in western North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.

3. High-Elevation Nests: Calliope Hummingbirds are well-adapted to high-altitude environments, often nesting at elevations of 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) or higher in coniferous forests and mountain meadows.

4. Feeding Behavior: Like other hummingbirds, Calliope Hummingbirds primarily feed on flower nectar, which provides them with the energy needed to sustain their rapid metabolism. They are particularly fond of tubular flowers such as penstemons and columbines.

5. Unique Throat Patch: Male Calliope Hummingbirds possess a striking gorget, or throat patch, with iridescent pink or purple feathers that shimmer in the sunlight. During courtship displays, males puff out their throats to show off their vibrant colors to females.