Are hummingbirds year round in Tucson?

Hummingbirds are a beloved backyard bird for many people. Their tiny size, beautiful colors, and amazing flying abilities make them a joy to watch. For those living in or visiting Tucson, Arizona, a common question is: are hummingbirds found here year-round?

Do hummingbirds live in Tucson year round?

The short answer is yes, there are some hummingbird species that can be found in Tucson all year. However, the population and diversity of hummingbirds does change with the seasons.

In the summer months, Tucson serves as a popular breeding ground for several species of hummingbirds that migrate from Mexico. These include the Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, and Costa’s Hummingbird. The plentiful flowers and artificial feeders provide excellent nutrition for nesting and raising young.

As winter approaches, most of these visiting hummingbird species will migrate south again to Mexico. However, one special species called the Anna’s Hummingbird is able to overwinter in Tucson. The Anna’s Hummingbird has adapted the ability to enter torpor at night and survive drops in temperature. This allows small populations to remain along the Arizona-Mexico border region through the winter rather than migrating longer distances.

Unique adaptations of Anna’s Hummingbirds

Here are some of the unique adaptations that allow Anna’s Hummingbirds to thrive year-round in Tucson:

• Enters torpor at night – body temperature drops and metabolic rate slows to conserve energy
• Changes orientation to minimize surface area exposed to cold air
• Increases insulation – fluffs up feathers to trap air
• Seeks thermal shelters – finds protected microclimates to roost
• Feeds on tree sap and insects – critical winter food sources
• Males maintain winter territories to ensure access to food

Their remarkable physiology and adaptations for thermoregulation give Anna’s Hummingbirds the ability to make it through cold periods that would be too extreme for other tropical hummingbird species.

Hummingbird populations by season

Here is a more detailed breakdown of what hummingbird species are found in Tucson each season:

Summer (June – August)

Summer brings peak hummingbird diversity! Species breeding in Tucson include:

• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• Anna’s Hummingbird
• Broad-billed Hummingbird
• Costa’s Hummingbird
• Rufous Hummingbird
• Calliope Hummingbird
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird
• Violet-crowned Hummingbird

By July, there can be up to a dozen hummingbird species and hundreds of individuals visiting backyards and natural desert washes.

Fall (September – November)

Fall migration starts in September as most breeding hummingbirds leave for Mexico. Some species like Rufous Hummingbirds will stop in Tucson temporarily to fuel up on their way south. By November, most migrants are gone, leaving only:

• Anna’s Hummingbird
• Rare vagrant species

Anna’s Hummingbirds make up about 90% of the birds that overwinter. Feeders and flowering plants are critical food sources when nectar is scarce.

Winter (December – February)

In December and January, Anna’s Hummingbirds are sometimes the only hummingbird species that stays behind in Tucson. They are joined on rare occasions by vagrant species blown off course such as Calliope Hummingbird. Maintaining fresh nectar in feeders is very important to help birds survive cold snaps.

Spring (March – May)

As early as February and March, migratory hummingbird species will start to arrive back in Tucson. Early arrivals include Rufous and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. By May, the diversity rapidly increases again with more nesting birds.

Key factors that attract hummingbirds to Tucson

So what makes Tucson such a hummingbird hotspot? Here are some of the key factors:

• Desert washes – Provide essential nesting habitat and flowering plants
• Backyard feeders – Reliable supplemental food and water source
• Urban trees and gardens – Extend the availability of nectar plants
• Proximity to Mexico – Perfect stopover point for migrating species
• Mild winter climate – Allows Anna’s Hummingbirds to overwinter

The combination of natural vegetation and urban plantings provides the food, water, and shelter that hummingbirds need. This makes the Tucson area very attractive both for breeding birds in summer and overwintering birds like Anna’s Hummingbirds.

Best plants to attract hummingbirds in Tucson

To make your yard as hummingbird-friendly as possible, incorporate a variety of flowering plants that provide nectar. Here are some top choices:

Trees

Shrubs

Vines

Cacti & Succulents

Consult a local Tucson nursery for more recommendations of plants suited to the climate and attractive to hummingbirds.

How to support overwintering Anna’s Hummingbirds

Here are some tips to support Anna’s Hummingbirds that overwinter in your yard:

Provide fresh nectar

Keep feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar, especially during cold periods when flowers are scarce. Use a 4:1 ratio of water to white refined sugar only – no honey, dyes, or artificial sweeteners.

Provide insect feeders

Supplying mealworms, ants, or other live insects gives birds an important protein source to maintain energy.

Offer sugar water heating systems

Heated bird baths and nectar feeders prevent freezing. Thermostats regulate temperature.

Plant winter-blooming flowers

Flowers like aloe, eucalyptus, and sage extend nectar availability into winter.

Let birds roost safely

Allow hummingbirds to overnight undisturbed inside garages, sheds, or under eaves.

String holiday lights

Stringing small white holiday lights allows hummingbirds to stay warm overnight.

Conclusion

While most people associate hummingbirds with summer, Tucson is lucky to have a special overwintering species – the Anna’s Hummingbird. Supporting these tiny birds through winter takes a little extra planning and care but allows you to enjoy hummingbirds year round. Theeagerly awaited return of migrants in spring is a sure sign warmer weather is on the way.