Are hummingbirds common in California?

Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating and colorful birds found in nature. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair, hummingbirds are a delight to observe. California is home to a number of hummingbird species that breed in the state or migrate through on their way up from Mexico and Central America. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different hummingbird species found in California and discuss how abundant they are across the state.

Hummingbird Species in California

There are 6 regular species of hummingbirds found in California:

• Anna’s Hummingbird – One of the most common, a year-round resident.
• Allen’s Hummingbird – Common summer resident.
• Rufous Hummingbird – Very common spring/fall migrant.
• Calliope Hummingbird – Uncommon spring/fall migrant.
• Black-chinned Hummingbird – Fairly common summer resident.
• Costa’s Hummingbird – Rare summer resident in southeastern deserts.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these hummingbirds and their abundance in California:

Anna’s Hummingbird

Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is one of the most common hummingbirds found in California. It is a year-round resident across most of the state, only absent from the highest mountain areas. This hummingbird can tolerate cold temperatures remarkably well compared to other hummingbird species. Anna’s hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats, including suburban gardens, parks, and woodlands. They are very territorial and males perform elaborate courtship displays, diving from heights of 100 feet or more before pulling up into a loud U-shaped arc at speeds exceeding 60 mph.

Allen’s Hummingbird

Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is another very common species in California. However, unlike the Anna’s, Allen’s is a summer resident only, migrating south to Mexico in winter. This small hummingbird breeds along the entire California coast and in the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills. Allen’s hummingbird males have a distinct rufous stripe on their throats. They prefer brushy areas and meadows with flowering plants.

Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is one of the most widespread hummingbirds in California, but it is only present during migration. This feisty hummingbird passes through California in spring and fall on its way between Mexico and breeding grounds further north. During migration, Rufous hummingbirds stop to rest and refuel in gardens, parks, and woodlands throughout the state. Distinctive rusty colored males pass through first in spring, while the greener females and juveniles follow later in summer.

Calliope Hummingbird

Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is an uncommon to rare migrant in California. It breeds in mountain meadows further north and passes through the state in small numbers during its spring and fall migrations. Calliope hummingbird is the smallest breeding bird in North America. Most records in California are from higher elevation areas, but this species has been reported along the entire coast and Central Valley during migration.

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a fairly common summer resident in California, breeding in many mountain ranges and foothills. This species winters in Mexico and migrates north to arrive in California in mid-March, departing again by October. Black-chinned hummingbird males have a dark, forked tail and a purple throat band. Females lack the distinctive throat patch. This species visits mountain meadows, foothill canyons, and brushy scrub habitats.

Costa’s Hummingbird

Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) is the rarest species in California. It barely ranges into the state as a summer resident in the desert regions of southeastern California. Very few breeding records exist for Costa’s hummingbird in California. It primarily occurs in the Sonoran and Mojave Desert regions, frequenting desert washes and oases with flowering plants. The male Costa’s hummingbird has a distinctive purple crown and throat gorget.

Abundance and Distribution

The abundance and distribution of hummingbirds across California is largely dependent on the species, as each occupies a different niche and migratory pattern. Here is a summary of the abundance and distribution of each species:

As the table summarizes, the Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds are likely the most widespread and frequently encountered species across the state. The Allen’s hummingbird also has a broad breeding distribution along the entire coast. Meanwhile, the Calliope and Costa’s hummingbirds have very limited ranges and are rarely observed in California.

Ideal Hummingbird Habitat

Hummingbirds occupy a diverse array of habitats in California, but there are some key features that make an area attractive to these speedy birds:

• Flowers – Abundant nectar sources are essential, including both native and non-native flowers. Hummingbirds favor red tubular flowers.
• Water – A clean water source like a stream, fountain, or bird bath for drinking and bathing.
• Trees and shrubs – Diverse vegetation provides shelter and perches.
• Nest sites – Trees, shrubs, and structures like lamp posts or buildings for nest placement.
• Feeders – Supplemental sugar water feeders attract hummingbirds.

Some prime hummingbird habitat types in California include:

• Riparian corridors along streams and rivers
• Canyons and wooded ravines
• Mountain meadows
• Chaparral and scrublands
• Suburban parks and gardens

Hummingbirds are drawn to any habitat that provides a reliable source of nectar-rich flowers and plants. By landscaping with hummingbird favorites and providing feeders, it’s easy to attract these energetic birds into yards and gardens throughout California.

Hummingbird Migration in California

California is an important stopover for migratory hummingbirds like Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds. These birds follow ancient migration routes along the Pacific Flyway as they travel between their wintering and breeding grounds. Here are some key facts about hummingbird migration in California:

• Spring migration occurs February through May. Rufous hummers arrive first in February and March.
• Fall migration occurs July through September. Juveniles and females migrate south later in summer.
• Coastal areas and mountain passes concentrate migrating individuals. Hotspots include Santa Barbara, Monterey Bay, Point Reyes, and Mt. Shasta.
• Abundant wildflowers and blooming plants fuel migration. Hummingbirds build up fat reserves.
• Weather patterns and storms influence migration timing and routes.
• Urban areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles provide migration stopover habitat.
• Researchers estimate 90-120 million hummingbirds pass through or along the California coast during migration cycles.

California’s mild climate and wealth of flowers make it a vital migratory corridor. Hummingbirds depend on stopover sites to rest and refuel during their long journeys between Central America and Alaska.

Unique Adaptations

Hummingbirds have many unique anatomical and physiological adaptations that allow them to hover and thrive on their high-energy nectar diet:

• Wings beat 55 times per second, rotating in a figure 8 pattern
• Double ball and socket shoulder joint allows wings to rotate 180 degrees
• Lightweight skeleton and powerful flight muscles make up 25% of their weight
• Extendible tongue darts up to 13 times per second to collect nectar
• High metabolism with heart rate up to 1,200 beats per minute
• Excellent color vision and slow-motion perception to navigate mid-air
• Digestive enzymes recycle protein and conserve water in urine
• Migrate huge distances, some travelling over 2,000 miles

These adaptations allow hummingbirds to exploit flower nectar resources and thrive across diverse habitats. Their unique hovering flight opens up ecological niches unavailable to other birds.

Role in Plant Pollination

Hummingbirds are important pollinators of many flowering plants in California. As the birds visit flowers for nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and bills and is transferred to the next blossom. Some key facts about hummingbird pollination:

• preferentially visit red, orange, or purple tubular flowers adapted to hummingbird pollination
• Important pollinators of wildflowers like lilies, fuchsias, columbine, paintbrush, and sages
• Essential pollinators of trees like eucalyptus, ocotillo, and milkweed
• Pollinate garden flowers like lantana, trumpet vine, and coral bells
• High energy demand requires visiting hundreds to thousands of flowers per day
• Territory defense ensures greater pollen dispersal between patches

Hummingbirds have a mutually beneficial relationship with many plants. As they forage for food, hummingbirds also ensure ongoing pollination and reproduction in native plants and commercial crops.

Threats and Conservation

The majority of California’s hummingbird species are thriving, but loss of habitat is a concern for declining species like the Calliope hummingbird. Threats include:

• Urban sprawl and habitat loss
• Climate change disrupting migration and flowering patterns
• Invasive species crowding out native nectar plants
• Pesticides poisoning pollinators
• Diseases such as West Nile Virus

Conservation measures include:

• Protecting remaining habitat corridors and open space
• Letting backyard habitat revert to native vegetation
• Planting native flowers and blooming trees/shrubs
• Providing clean hummingbird feeders, especially during migration
• Avoiding pesticides to protect pollinator health
• Supporting research on disease transmission and prevention

Maintaining abundant food sources and healthy habitat is key to preservation of hummingbird diversity for the future. The public can help by creating pollinator-friendly gardens.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds have a strong presence across California, occupying diverse habitats ranging from low deserts to high mountain meadows. The Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds nest abundantly along the coast and interior, while Rufous hummingbirds pass through in huge numbers during migration. Providing habitat with native plants and flowers will attract these energetic pollinators to any yard or garden. Protecting habitat corridors and reducing threats is crucial to ensure thriving hummingbird populations into the future. With their impressive hovering flight and important ecological role, hummingbirds add beauty and life to landscapes across California.