California, with its Mediterranean climate and abundance of flowering plants, is a veritable paradise for hummingbirds. These tiny, iridescent jewels flit and hover around gardens, their rapid wingbeats creating a mesmerizing blur. Attracting hummingbirds to your backyard is a rewarding experience, offering a constant source of entertainment and a vital connection to the natural world.
While California boasts a remarkable diversity of hummingbird species, a few are particularly common visitors to backyard feeders and flowering landscapes.
Here are seven cute hummingbirds you're likely to spot in your California backyard.
1. Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna): The Year-Round Resident
The Anna's Hummingbird is perhaps the most ubiquitous hummingbird in California, and uniquely, it's a year-round resident in many parts of the state.
Males are particularly striking, boasting a brilliant, iridescent rosy-pink to magenta gorget (throat patch) and crown that can flash spectacularly in the sunlight. Females have a more modest appearance with a green back, grayish underparts, and often a small patch of red feathers on their throat.
Identification: Medium-sized for a hummingbird. Males: iridescent rosy-pink/magenta head and throat. Females: green back, gray underparts, often a red throat spot.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal scrub and chaparral to oak woodlands, suburban gardens, and even urban areas.
Attraction: Readily visits nectar feeders and is attracted to a wide range of flowering plants, including fuchsias, salvias, and California poppies. Their adaptability makes them a constant presence in many backyards.
2. Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin): The Agile Acrobats
The Allen's Hummingbird is a small, fiery hummingbird primarily found in coastal California during its breeding season.
Males are known for their brilliant iridescent orange-red gorget, rufous (reddish-brown) flanks, and green back. Females are more subdued, with a green back, rusty patches on the sides and at the base of the tail, and a variable amount of orange on the throat.
Identification: Small. Males: iridescent orange-red throat, rufous flanks, green back. Females: green back, rusty sides and tail base, some orange on throat.
Habitat: Prefers chaparral, coastal scrub, and redwood forests for breeding. During migration and winter, some move south.
Attraction: They are fiercely territorial and frequent nectar feeders. Plant tubular red and orange flowers like California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) and trumpet honeysuckle to attract them. Their fast, darting flight and aerial displays are a treat to watch.
3. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus): The Long-Distance Traveler
The Rufous Hummingbird holds the record for the longest migration route relative to its size of any bird in the world. While they pass through California during their incredible journey between their breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest and their wintering grounds in Mexico, they can be a common sight in backyards, particularly during spring and fall migration.
Males are a vibrant, fiery rufous color on their back and flanks, with an iridescent red-orange gorget and a white chest. Females have a green back, a white chest, rusty flanks, and often some orange speckling in their throat.
Identification: Small. Males: fiery rufous back and flanks, red-orange throat. Females: green back, white chest, rusty flanks, often orange throat spots.
Habitat: Uses a variety of habitats during migration, including forests, meadows, and gardens.
Attraction: Known for their aggressive behavior at feeders, they are attracted to standard nectar solutions. Plant brightly colored tubular flowers along their migratory routes to provide natural food sources.
4. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): The Subtle Beauty
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a widespread species found throughout much of western North America, including California, particularly in the interior and at higher elevations.
Males have a velvety black chin that appears black except in direct sunlight when it can reveal a narrow band of iridescent violet-blue below the black. They have a green back and whitish underparts. Females are a plain green above with whitish underparts and a rounded tail.
Identification: Medium-sized. Males: black chin (violet-blue in bright light), green back, whitish underparts. Females: green back, whitish underparts, rounded tail.
Habitat: Inhabits a variety of habitats, including riparian areas, open woodlands, canyons, and suburban gardens.
Attraction: They are less aggressive than Rufous Hummingbirds and readily visit nectar feeders and a variety of flowers, including penstemons and trumpet vines. Their buzzing flight sound is a common indicator of their presence.
5. Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae): The Desert Jewel
The Costa's Hummingbird is a smaller species that thrives in the arid and semi-arid regions of California, particularly in the southern parts of the state.
Males are easily recognizable by their striking iridescent violet-purple cap and elongated gorget feathers that flare out at the sides of their throat. Females are less conspicuous, with a green back, whitish underparts, and sometimes a few violet feathers on the throat.
Identification: Small. Males: iridescent violet-purple cap and flared gorget. Females: green back, whitish underparts, sometimes violet throat feathers.
Habitat: Found in desert scrub, chaparral, and arid canyons. They are well-adapted to hot, dry environments.
Attraction: Plant desert-adapted flowering species like ocotillo, chuparosa (Justicia californica), and desert willow to attract them. They also visit nectar feeders.
6. Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope): The Tiny Traveler
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migratory bird in the world. While they breed in the higher elevations of the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Rocky Mountains, they pass through California during their spring and fall migrations.
Males are distinguished by their magenta streaks on a white gorget, a green back, and rusty flanks. Females have a green back, whitish underparts, and often a few dusky streaks on their throat and rusty patches on their flanks.
Identification: Very small. Males: magenta streaked throat, green back, rusty flanks. Females: green back, whitish underparts, dusky throat streaks, rusty flanks.
Habitat: Uses a variety of habitats during migration, often found in mountain meadows, forests, and gardens.
Attraction: They are attracted to nectar feeders and high-elevation flowering plants like paintbrush and fireweed during their migration through California's mountainous regions.
7. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris): The Southwestern Visitor
While primarily found in the southwestern United States (Arizona and New Mexico) and Mexico, the Broad-billed Hummingbird occasionally makes its way into southern California, particularly during the late summer and fall.
Males are a striking iridescent green overall with a sapphire-blue throat and a bright red bill with a black tip. Females are green above with grayish underparts and a duller red bill with a darker tip.
Identification: Medium-sized. Males: iridescent green, sapphire-blue throat, red bill with black tip. Females: green above, grayish below, reddish bill with dark tip.
Habitat: Found in riparian woodlands, canyons, and hummingbird gardens in its core range, vagrants in similar habitats in California.
Attraction: Plant tubular red flowers like cardinal flower and salvia. They will also visit nectar feeders.
How To Attract California Hummingbirds To Your Feeder
Here is a guide on how to attract hummingbirds to a feeder, with a focus on tips for California residents.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Feeder
Attracting hummingbirds to your garden is a rewarding experience, and a feeder is a fantastic way to welcome these tiny, energetic birds. By following a few simple steps, you can create a safe and irresistible nectar source that will have them visiting your yard regularly.
1. The Nectar Recipe: Simple and Safe
The most important step is to provide the correct nectar. Hummingbird nectar is incredibly easy to make yourself and is much safer than store-bought varieties that may contain preservatives or red dye.
The Recipe: Mix one part plain white granulated sugar with four parts water. For example, 1/4 cup of sugar mixed with 1 cup of water.
The Process: Bring the mixture to a boil to dissolve the sugar and kill any bacteria. Let it cool completely before filling your feeder.
What to Avoid: Never use honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners, as these can be dangerous for hummingbirds. The red on many feeders is enough to attract them, so avoid using red food coloring in your mixture.
2. Strategic Feeder Placement
Where you hang your feeder is just as important as what you put in it. Proper placement helps hummingbirds feel safe and makes your feeder easy for them to find.
Location: Hang your feeder in a shady spot. This prevents the nectar from fermenting in the sun and keeps the birds from overheating.
Proximity to Cover: Place the feeder near trees, shrubs, or other dense vegetation. Hummingbirds are wary of open spaces and will appreciate a nearby perch or a safe place to hide from predators.
Window Safety: To prevent collisions, place the feeder either very close to a window (less than three feet) so the birds cannot build up enough momentum to injure themselves, or more than 20 feet away.
3. Maintain Your Feeder Regularly
A clean feeder is a healthy feeder. Hummingbirds can get sick from mold and bacteria, so consistent maintenance is non-negotiable.
Cleaning Schedule: During warm weather, change the nectar and clean the feeder every 2-3 days. In cooler weather, you can extend this to once a week.
How to Clean: Use a bottle brush and hot water to scrub all parts of the feeder. Avoid using soap, but if you do, rinse the feeder thoroughly to remove all residue. A mild vinegar solution can be used to scrub away stubborn mold.
4. Deter Unwanted Pests
Your delicious nectar can attract more than just hummingbirds. Here are a few ways to keep pests at bay.
Ants: Look for feeders with a built-in "ant moat," which is a small reservoir that you can fill with water to create a barrier. If your feeder doesn't have one, you can purchase an ant moat separately.
Bees: If bees become a problem, try moving your feeder to a new location, as bees are slower to relocate. Avoid using oil or other substances on the feeder ports, as these can harm the birds. Using a saucer-style feeder can also help, as it keeps the nectar level low.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hummingbirds year-round in California?
Yes, several hummingbird species are year-round residents in California, with others visiting during their migratory journeys. The most prominent and widely distributed year-round resident is the Anna's Hummingbird.
Anna's Hummingbird: This is the most common hummingbird in California and can be found throughout much of the state, from the coast to the interior valleys. Its adaptability to a variety of habitats, including urban and suburban areas, allows it to remain in California year-round.
Other Species: While the Anna's is the most consistent year-round hummingbird, other species like the Allen's Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are primarily migratory. They can be seen passing through California during the spring and fall, and some Allen's Hummingbirds will overwinter in the southern coastal regions of the state.
So, while not all hummingbird species stay in California for the entire year, you can be sure to spot hummingbirds in a California garden at any time of the year.
Where can I see California hummingbirds?
You can see hummingbirds throughout California, but some locations are particularly well-known for their high concentration of these fascinating birds. Here are three excellent places to visit to see a variety of California hummingbirds:
Southern California Botanical Gardens
The warmer climate and year-round flowering plants in Southern California's botanical gardens make them a prime habitat for hummingbirds.
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (San Marino): With a wide variety of plants from around the world, the Huntington's gardens attract Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds year-round. The Japanese Garden and Desert Garden are particularly good spots.
The Arboretum at the University of California, Santa Cruz: This location is a great place to see many species, including the resident Anna's Hummingbird and migratory Rufous Hummingbirds during spring and fall.
The arid landscapes of California also support hummingbird populations.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: In the spring, when the desert wildflowers bloom, this park is a great place to spot the Costa's Hummingbird and other desert-dwelling species.
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park: In the higher elevations during the summer, you can find the small but tenacious Calliope Hummingbird in mountain meadows and forested areas.
Do hummingbirds inhabiting California migrate?
Hummingbird behavior in California is a mix of migration and residency. While some species are long-distance travelers, others are year-round residents.
Resident Hummingbirds: The Anna's Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird in California and is a non-migratory, year-round resident in most parts of the state. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in a variety of habitats, including urban and suburban areas.
Migratory Hummingbirds: Other species, such as the Rufous Hummingbird and the Allen's Hummingbird, are migratory. The Rufous Hummingbird makes an incredible journey between its breeding grounds in the Pacific Northwest and its wintering grounds in Mexico, passing through California on its way. The Allen's Hummingbird also migrates, with some overwintering in the southern coastal regions of the state.
Wrapping Up
Attracting these cute hummingbirds to your California backyard is easier than you might think. Providing a consistent source of sugar water in a clean feeder (a solution of one part white sugar to four parts water, never use honey or artificial sweeteners), planting a variety of nectar-rich native flowers with different blooming times, and offering a shallow dish of fresh water for bathing can turn your yard into a hummingbird haven. Remember to avoid using pesticides, which can harm these delicate creatures and their insect prey. With a little effort, you can enjoy the enchanting presence of these tiny, vibrant birds throughout much of the year in California.
Read about the hawks of California.
Top 9 Hawks In California: Easy Ways To ID Each Species
