Hummingbirds are a beloved part of the Southern California landscape, fluttering from flower to flower with their fast-beating wings. But while most people associate hummingbirds with the warmer months, some species do make Southern California their year-round home. Here’s a closer look at the hummingbirds found in the region and whether they stay through the winter or migrate elsewhere.
Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) is one of the most common hummingbirds found in Southern California. Named after a 19th century duchess, these hummingbirds can be identified by the iridescent rose-pink feathers on the males’ throats and crowns. Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents of the region, remaining to breed and nest even through the winter.
Anna’s hummingbirds do not migrate and can be found across Southern California year-round. However, some individuals that breed farther north in California will migrate south to spend the winter in Southern California where food is more plentiful. Anna’s hummingbirds are aggressive and territorial; they stake out feeding areas year-round to protect their food sources.
Adaptations for Winter Survival
Anna’s hummingbirds have adapted in several ways to survive cold winters in Southern California:
- They enter torpor, a state of decreased physiological activity, to conserve energy on cold nights.
- They seek out warmer microclimates around buildings and structures.
- They feed on nectar from winter-blooming plants like coral aloe and sage.
- They eat more insects and spiders to supplement their diet.
These behavioral and physiological adaptations allow Anna’s hummingbirds to make it through even freezing conditions in winter.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is another year-round resident of Southern California. Smaller than Anna’s hummingbirds, adult male Allen’s have metallic green backs and throats with a reddish-orange crown. Females lack the flashy coloring. Allen’s hummingbirds breed primarily along coastal California and into the Channel Islands.
Allen’s hummingbirds are territorial and do not migrate. They have similar adaptations as Anna’s hummingbirds for surviving cold periods including torpor and seeking out warmer microclimates. A key element of their winter survival is the availability of flowers and nectar, especially from flowering eucalyptus trees which provide an important winter food source.
Range Expansion
While historically found mainly near the coast, Allen’s hummingbirds have expanded their range eastwards and can now be found in urban areas across Southern California year-round. This expansion has occurred over the last fifty years and may be linked to the planting of exotic flowers and trees in gardens, parks, and roadsides that provide nectar through the winter.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird with iridescent orange and green feathers. The males are especially colourful with bright orange throats. While some Rufous hummingbirds live year-round in Pacific Northwest Canada and Alaska, in California they are migratory. These hummingbirds breed in northern California and the Pacific Northwest in spring and summer. As food sources dwindle in late summer, they migrate south to spend the winter in Mexico and Southern California.
In Southern California, Rufous hummingbirds arrive in fall and remain until spring when they migrate north again. They are very territorial, staking out feeding areas often in mountainous regions. While they do not breed in Southern California, the increasing availability of winter flowers in gardens has supported larger wintering populations in recent decades.
Identification Tips
Distinguishing a Rufous hummingbird from an Allen’s can be tricky. Some tips include:
- Rufous males have much brighter orange plumage compared to the more reddish Allen’s.
- Rufous hummingbirds have slightly downturned bills compared to the straighter bills of Allen’s.
- Rufous hummingbirds produce a distinct buzzing sound with their wings.
Calliope Hummingbird
The smallest breeding hummingbird in North America, the Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) migrates through Southern California in spring and fall. Adult males are brilliantly colored with purple throats, green backs, and white breast bands. Females lack the flashy plumage.
Breeding occurs farther north, but the Calliope hummingbird can be found in spring and fall in California as it passes through on its migratory journey. Some wintering has also been documented in recent years.
Preferred habitat includes mountain meadows and pine forests. In migration and winter they also visit gardens rich in nectar-producing flowers. Due to their small size they are especially vulnerable in cold weather and must seek out energy-rich food sources to survive.
Spring and Fall Migrant
The timing of spring and fall migrations through Southern California is:
- Spring: late January through May, peaking in mid-April
- Fall: July through September, peaking in late August
Notable sites to spot migrating Calliope hummingbirds include Mount Pinos and Butterbredt Springs in the Los Padres National Forest.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a small hummingbird named after Louis Marie Pantaleón Costa, a 19th century French nobleman and naturalist. Costa’s hummingbirds breed in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. While some remain year-round, others migrate north after breeding with some reaching coastal California.
In Southern California, Costa’s hummingbirds are most abundant from fall through spring as migrants arrive from the desert. By late spring most have retreated back to Arizona and points south. Preferred habitat includes desert washes and mountain canyons. Costa’s hummingbirds are aggressive around feeders and will chase away other hummingbirds.
| Season | Occurrence |
|---|---|
| Summer | Uncommon |
| Fall | Common |
| Winter | Common |
| Spring | Common |
Distinguishing a Costa’s from an Anna’s hummingbird can be tricky. Costa’s have shorter tails and produce a faster chipping call compared to the ringing call of an Anna’s.
Range Expansion
In recent decades, Costa’s hummingbirds have expanded their breeding range northwards into California, likely due to warmer temperatures and the availability of gardens, parks, and feeders beyond their traditional desert habitat.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird with a dark, forked tail. Adult males have a stunning purple throat band. Females and juveniles are less colorful with white throats and green backs. This hummingbird breeds across the western United States but most individuals migrate south ahead of winter.
In Southern California, Black-chinned hummingbirds pass through during spring and fall migrations. They are uncommon in summer and rare in winter. Preferred stopover habitat includes streamside woodlands and mountain meadows rich in wildflowers and nectar. In gardens they visit nectar feeders and flowering plants like coral honeysuckle.
Identification Tip
The Black-chinned hummingbird looks very similar to the abundant Ruby-throated hummingbird of eastern North America. The best distinction is the narrower black tip on the Black-chinned’s outer tail feathers.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Easily identified by the loud buzzing sound their wings make during flight, Broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) are migratory visitors to Southern California generally in spring and fall. Breeding occurs in mountain meadows and forest openings across the western United States. During migration they can turn up almost anywhere in Southern California that provides nectar flowers.
In spring, southbound Broad-tailed hummingbirds pass through between late March and early May. On their return north in fall, they occur between July and September with numbers peaking in August. Gardens, parks, and meadows that provide a diverse nectar supply are best for glimpsing this migrant.
A few Broad-tailed hummingbirds have attempted overwintering in recent mild winters. But most migrate to Mexico where food is abundant. Distinguishing them from the similar Rufous takes practice – Broad-tailed have greener backs and white spotting on their tails.
| Season | Occurrence |
|---|---|
| Summer | Rare |
| Fall | Common |
| Winter | Rare |
| Spring | Common |
Other Rare and Vagrant Species
In addition to the hummingbird species commonly observed, several others turn up rarely in Southern California, especially in fall and spring during migration:
- Magnificent Hummingbird – A large hummingbird of Mexico that sometimes wanders north into California in winter.
- Berylline Hummingbird – An inhabitant of oak woodlands in Mexico that has been spotted in California in fall and spring.
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – Found in Mexico, small numbers visit California in winter.
- Blue-throated Hummingbird – Another Mexican species best identified by its distinctive whistling wings.
These vagrant species show up occasionally at nectar feeders but are hard to predict from year to year. They highlight the importance of Southern California being on a migratory pathway between Mexico and more northern breeding locales.
Best Places to See Hummingbirds in Southern California
Here are some top spots for viewing hummingbirds in the region:
Gardens
Hummingbirds are attracted to any garden, patio, or balcony that provides a diverse array of nectar flowers and feeders. Opt for native plants like sages, penstemons, aloes, and monkeyflowers or non-native favorites like lantana, fuchsia, and coral honeysuckle.
Parks
Many parks, nature reserves, and public gardens provide excellent hummingbird habitat. Top picks include Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge), Sherman Library & Gardens (Corona del Mar), Elizabeth Learning Center (Cudahy), Arcadia Arboretum, and Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills).
Botanical Conservatories
The warm, humid environment of botanical conservatories allows year-round blooms that attract hummingbirds. The Living Desert (Palm Desert), South Coast Botanic Garden (Palos Verdes Peninsula), and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (Santa Barbara) all display and attract hummingbirds.
Nature Reserves
Reserves with flowering meadows, streamside woodlands, chaparral, and mountain springs create excellent hummer habitat. Try spots like Placerita Canyon State Park (near Santa Clarita), Carrizo Plain National Monument (west of Bakersfield), or Geisel Monument State Natural Reserve (San Diego County).
Mountain Destinations
Hummingbirds migrate through mountain passes and breed in alpine meadows. In spring and summer visit high elevation sites like Mt. Pinos, Big Bear Lake, Mt. Laguna, and Clouds Rest in Yosemite.
Conclusion
Southern California is home or host to a remarkable diversity of hummingbirds throughout the year. The region’s mild climate allows species like Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds to find sufficient food and survive year-round. Other species pass through on spring or fall migrations or appear as rare winter vagrants. By landscaping to provide habitat and food sources, residents can support hummingbirds across the seasons.
