Hummingbirds are a beloved backyard visitor for many Californians. These tiny, energetic birds dart around feeders and gardens, bringing color and life. However, as winter approaches each year, hummingbird sightings become less frequent across the state. This leads many people to ask: do hummingbirds stay in California during the winter?
The short answer is yes, some hummingbirds do spend the winter in California. However, most hummingbird species that breed in California migrate south to Mexico or Central America for the winter. The species that remains in California throughout the winter is Anna’s hummingbird. Let’s take a closer look at the hummingbird species found in California and their migration patterns.
Hummingbird Species in California
There are six common hummingbird species found in California:
- Anna’s hummingbird
- Allen’s hummingbird
- Rufous hummingbird
- Calliope hummingbird
- Black-chinned hummingbird
- Costa’s hummingbird
Of these six species, only the Anna’s hummingbird is commonly found in California throughout the winter. The other hummingbirds are summer residents that migrate out of the state before winter sets in. Let’s look at each species individually:
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is the most common year-round resident hummingbird in California. This species accounts for about 90% of winter hummingbird sightings in the state.
Anna’s hummingbirds are medium-sized with mostly green plumage on the back and head and grey underparts. The male has an iridescent reddish-pink throat and crown. The female has a green crown and lighter grey underparts.
These birds thrive in suburban neighborhoods, parks, and gardens. They are attracted to feeders as well as native flowering plants. Anna’s hummingbirds stake out and defend winter territories centered around reliable food sources.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) breeds along the entire California coast. They are present in the state from February through September but migrate out of California for the winter.
These hummingbirds are small and have dark green backs and rufous throat feathers. The male Allen’s hummingbird has an iridescent orange-red throat, while the female has a speckled orange and green throat.
Allen’s hummingbirds are common visitors to gardens and feeders when they return to California in early spring.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) breed in northern California and throughout the Pacific Northwest. They migrate through California in spring and fall but do not overwinter in the state.
The males are brightly colored with iridescent reddish-orange throats and green backs. Females have green backs and white, speckled throats. These tiny hummingbirds stop to refuel in gardens and parks during migration.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope hummingbirds (Selasphorus calliope) are the smallest breeding hummingbird in North America. They nest in high mountain meadows in northern California and other western states.
These tiny hummingbirds have bright magenta-colored throats. As fall approaches, Calliope hummingbirds migrate south through California and into Mexico. They return again in spring on their way back to their northern breeding grounds.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) breed across western North America and are common summer visitors to southern California. However, this species migrates south out of California for the winter months.
The males have dark green backs and purple-black throats with a thin white collar. Females lack the dark throat and have pale, white tips on their tail feathers.
These hummingbirds are regular spring and fall migrants in gardens and parks throughout California.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbirds (Calypte costae) breed in southern California, southwestern Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico. They are present in California in spring and summer but most migrate to Mexico for the winter.
The males are easily identified by their iridescent violet-blue throat and crown. Females are duller and lack the colorful throat.
Because some Costa’s hummingbirds overwinter in Mexico and southern California, they can be seen year-round in the very southern parts of the state. However, their numbers drop off significantly in winter away from the border region.
Do Hummingbirds Migrate Out of California for Winter?
As we have seen, most of California’s breeding hummingbirds migrate south before winter begins. By late fall, ruby-throated rufous, Calliope’s, black-chinned, and Costa’s hummingbirds have left the state. Only the Anna’s hummingbird remains widespread throughout California during the winter months.
What triggers this mass exodus of hummingbirds from California in fall? Two main factors influence hummingbird migration: food availability and cold temperatures.
Food Availability
Flowers are the main food source for hummingbirds. The abundance of flowering plants provides enough nutrition to support hungry, territorial hummingbirds throughout the spring and summer breeding season.
However, many species of flowers begin to fade and die back as fall and winter approaches. Without adequate natural food sources, most areas cannot support overwintering hummingbird populations. This decline in food availability in winter prompts the birds to migrate.
However, Anna’s hummingbirds have adapted to rely more on tree sap, insects, and nectar feeders in winter. This flexibility allows them to remain year-round despite the drop in flowers.
Cold Temperatures
Hummingbirds are sensitive to cold weather. These tiny birds have high metabolisms and must eat frequently to maintain their energy. Cold winter temperatures increase their risk of starvation.
To conserve energy, hummingbirds enter a state of torpor at night and when temperatures drop. Their metabolic rate slows, heart rate decreases, and body temperature drops. But this makes them more vulnerable to starvation if they cannot find food to raise their metabolism and body temperature when needed.
Most hummingbirds cannot survive the cold nights and intermittent freezing temperatures that happen in winter, even in southern California. So they migrate to warmer climates where they can find enough food to get them through the day and night.
Anna’s hummingbirds have adapted to deal with cold better than other species. Their winter distribution is limited to areas with relatively mild nighttime temperatures, like along coastal California. This allows them to conserve enough energy to survive the winter.
When do Hummingbirds Leave California for Winter?
Hummingbird migration is a gradual process that occurs over several months in fall. The timing varies slightly by species and location:
- Rufous hummingbirds leave breeding areas in northern California by July/August
- Allen’s hummingbirds leave coastal California between September and November
- Calliope hummingbirds leave mountain meadows by August/September
- Black-chinned hummingbirds leave southern California between September and November
- Costa’s hummingbirds migrate from northern and central California between September and December
By November, only Anna’s hummingbirds remain plentiful across California. Costa’s may linger into December in far southern California.
The pace and exact timing of migration is influenced by weather patterns each year. Colder temperatures and lack of flowers may spur earlier migration. Warm, flower-filled autumns may allow birds to stay a bit longer before migrating.
Where do California’s Hummingbirds Go for Winter?
When hummingbirds leave California in fall, where do they go? The wintering grounds of migratory hummingbirds span across Mexico, Central America, and even northern South America.
Here are the key wintering regions for each species:
- Rufous hummingbirds – Mexico and the Gulf Coast
- Allen’s hummingbirds – Mexico
- Calliope hummingbirds – Mexico
- Black-chinned hummingbirds – Mexico and Central America
- Costa’s hummingbirds – Mexico and Central America
These tropical and subtropical climates provide warmth, shelter, and abundant flowers for fueling hummingbirds over the winter.
Some hummingbird species make incredibly long migrations spanning thousands of miles. For example, rufous hummingbirds breeding in Alaska may fly over 3,000 miles one-way to reach winter grounds in Mexico!
Researchers have attached tiny tracking devices to hummingbirds to map their migration routes and wintering sites. This technology confirms that most west coast hummingbirds funnel through the lowlands of Mexico and Central America for winter.
When do Hummingbirds Return to California in Spring?
The wintering hummingbirds follow the warm weather and food supply back north each spring. Their return to California coincides with bloom times of early-season flowers.
- Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents
- Allen’s hummingbirds arrive February – March along the coast
- Rufous hummingbirds pass through in March – May
- Black-chinned arrive in March – April
- Costa’s arrive in March – April
- Calliope pass through high elevations in May – June
By mid-March, Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds are abundant along coastal areas. The other species arrive a bit later at their respective breeding grounds across the state.
The pace of spring migration depends on the weather. Warmer, drier springs may prompt earlier arrival to take advantage of food resources. Wet, cold springs delay migration until conditions improve.
Regardless of the exact timing, by June, all six hummingbird species found in California will have returned to nest and breed for the summer season.
Summary: Do Hummingbirds Stay in California in Winter?
In summary, most hummingbird species that nest in California do migrate out of the state before winter arrives. However, Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents and account for nearly all winter hummingbird sightings. Their adaptability allows them to survive cold temperatures and limited food in winter.
A few Costa’s hummingbirds may overwinter in far southern California, but this is uncommon. Rufous, Allen’s, black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds leave California by late fall and spend winters in Mexico or farther south.
So if you see a hummingbird buzzing around your feeder this winter in California, chances are it’s a territorial Anna’s hummingbird! Keep feeders clean and filled to help these tiny birds survive until the migrants return next spring.
Attracting Hummingbirds in Winter
Even though options are limited compared to warmer months, you can still make your yard attractive to overwintering Anna’s hummingbirds with a little preparation:
- Provide nectar feeders – Keep feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Place in a sheltered location that is out of the wind and cold.
- Offer high calorie feeders – Supply feeders with a high sugar concentration nectar (1 part sugar to 3 parts water) to help meet energy needs.
- Plant winter-blooming flowers – Good options include coral aloe, sage, and winter-blooming eucalyptus.
- Provide insect feeders – Supply feeders with mealworms or hummingbird insect food to mimic natural food sources.
- Use a mister – Mist vegetation to provide drinking and bathing water since natural sources may be frozen.
- Don’t remove feeders – Keep feeders up year-round instead of taking them down after fall. Hummingbirds rely on them in winter.
With a little planning, you can make the winter a bit easier for hummingbirds that tough out the cold California weather.
Interesting Facts about Anna’s Hummingbirds
Here are some cool facts about Anna’s hummingbirds, California’s most common winter hummingbird:
- They are named after 19th century hummingbird collector Anne Marie d’Orléans, Duchess de Montpensier.
- The species was first documented by ornithologist John Gould in the early 1870s.
- Their loud, shrill call earns them the nickname “chipping sparrow with a beak.”
- Males make elaborate dive displays during courtship, rising up to 130 feet before diving back to the female at high speeds with a loud chirp.
- Their wingbeat can reach up to 70 beats per second and they have the 3rd highest metabolism of any animal.
- To conserve energy in cold weather, they can lower their body temperature by 50-60°F at night by entering torpor.
- They aggressively defend winter feeding territories, chasing away intruders.
Anna’s hummingbirds are definitely one of the most remarkable and adaptable hummingbird species. Observing them in winter reveals their tenacity and survival skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about hummingbirds in California during winter:
What is the most common hummingbird in California in winter?
The Anna’s hummingbird is the most widespread and common hummingbird species found in California during winter. It accounts for about 90% of winter hummingbird sightings in the state.
Where do Allen’s hummingbirds go in winter?
Allen’s hummingbirds migrate south out of California in fall and spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. They return to California in early spring to breed along the coast.
Do any hummingbirds stay in California all year?
Yes, Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents in California. A few Costa’s hummingbirds may overwinter in far southern California close to the Mexican border as well. All other hummingbird species migrate out of the state.
How do hummingbirds survive winter?
Hummingbirds like Anna’s survive winter by going into nightly torpor to conserve energy, feeding on tree sap and insects, and relying on high-calorie nectar feeders for fuel. They stake out winter feeding territories with reliable food sources.
What months do hummingbirds migrate through California?
Most hummingbirds migrate south through California between August and November in fall, and return north between February and May in spring. The exceptions are Anna’s which are year-round residents.
How can I attract hummingbirds in winter?
Tips for attracting winter hummingbirds include providing nectar feeders with fresh high-calorie nectar, planting winter-blooming flowers, offering insect feeders, misting for drinking water, and keeping feeders up year-round instead of removing them in fall.
Conclusion
While most people associate hummingbirds with the bright flowers and warm temperatures of summer, a few extraordinary hummingbird species tough out the cold California winters. Anna’s hummingbirds are the champions of endurance, surviving on meager food supplies and entering nightly torpor. Providing a few winter-specific additions like high calorie feeders and winter plantings can help sustain these tiny birds through the harsh weather until spring returns. So even when it’s cold, keep an eye out for Anna’s hummingbirds buzzing around – a reminder that with the right adaptations, you can thrive year-round even in California’s winter climate.
