Hummingbirds are a beloved part of the landscape in Washington state during the spring and summer months. Their diminutive size and incredible speed make them a joy to watch as they dart from flower to flower. But what happens to hummingbirds when the weather turns cold? Do any hummingbirds stick around Washington year-round, or do they all migrate south for the winter?
Some hummingbird species are migratory
Many of the hummingbird species found in Washington spend their summers in the state but migrate south to warmer climates for the winter. The most common migratory hummingbird species seen in Washington include:
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
These migratory species follow a seasonal pattern. They arrive in Washington in the spring to breed and raise their young. In late summer or early fall, they embark on a long migration south to their wintering grounds in Mexico or Central America. This allows them to escape harsh winter conditions in Washington that would make finding food difficult.
Some hummingbirds are year-round residents
While many hummingbirds clear out of Washington for the winter, some species are able to tough it out year-round. These species have adaptations that allow them to survive cold temperatures and snow.
The main hummingbird species that resides in Washington year-round is the Anna’s Hummingbird. This medium-sized hummingbird has a green back and gray underside. The male has a vivid magenta throat and crown.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are regular nesters in western Washington. They start breeding in late December and nest through March, allowing them to take advantage of early spring flowers. Their nests provide insulation to help the eggs and chicks survive winter nights.
Other less common year-round hummingbirds in Washington include the Rufous Hummingbird and Calliope Hummingbird. Though many individuals migrate, some will overwinter in western Washington’s milder climates close to feeders or winter-blooming flowers.
Hummingbirds need food and shelter in winter
Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms. To survive cold Washington winters, they need access to regular food sources, as well as shelter from freezing temperatures and wind.
In the wild, Anna’s and other overwintering hummingbirds get food from these main sources:
- Insects: Hummingbirds eat small insects and spiders year-round for essential protein.
- Sap wells: Sapsuckers drill holes in trees that fill with sap, providing a vital winter food.
- Native plants: Some flowering plants like coral honeysuckle bloom through winter.
- Backyard feeders: More hummingbirds overwinter near feeders stocked with sugar water.
Shelter is also critical. Thick conifer trees, cavities, and nests provide insulation. Hummingbirds may enter torpor, a short-term hibernation, to conserve energy on extra cold nights.
Providing food and shelter helps overwintering birds
People can support Anna’s Hummingbirds and other species that overwinter in Washington by providing supplemental food and shelter in their yards.
Key tips include:
- Keep feeders up year-round and maintain a fresh nectar supply. Choose feeders with some weather protection.
- Provide sugary “hummer dough” for essential calories. Boil 1 part sugar in 4 parts water for one minute, then stir in 5 parts cornmeal.
- Plant or protect winter-blooming flower sources like camellias, fuchsias, and Ribes sanguineum (red-flowering currant).
- Allow patches of native plants to go to seed for essential protein from insects.
- Leave some thick, protected landscaping like tall shrubs and evergreen trees.
With some planning, we can make the winter a little easier for Anna’s Hummingbirds and other species toughing it out in Washington’s cold season.
Tracking winter hummingbird sightings
Community science projects allow people to share their winter hummingbird sightings. This data helps scientists track hummingbird overwintering patterns and migration trends over time.
Two programs helping connect Washington participants are:
- Journey North: This citizen science project has online maps and data tracking of hummingbird migration. People enter their sightings on the website.
- eBird: This Cornell Lab of Ornithology project collects worldwide bird checklist data. People enter winter hummingbird sightings in their area via the mobile app or website.
These databases allow researchers to analyze sightings data by geography and time. Results help reveal trends like whether more Anna’s Hummingbirds are overwintering in Washington than historically.
Researching hummingbird physiology and adaptations
How do such tiny birds survive freezing temperatures? Scientists are still studying the intricacies of hummingbird physiology and winter adaptations. Some areas being researched include:
- Metabolism: Hummingbirds have amazingly fast metabolic rates to power their wings. There are still mysteries around their digestion and energy use strategies.
- Thermoregulation: The mechanisms hummingbirds use to maintain body heat, like shivering and fluffing feathers, are not fully understood.
- Torpor: More research is being done on the cycle of mini-hibernation hummingbirds can enter to conserve energy overnight.
- Migration: Scientists are tracking migration routes and testing how weather patterns, habitat loss, and other challenges impact migratory success.
- Climate resilience: Studies examine how climate change affects hummingbird populations, reproduction, and migration patterns.
DNA and tracking technologies offer new insights into hummingbird winter survival. This aids conservation efforts for fragile species facing extreme weather and shifting habitats.
Case study: Anna’s Hummingbirds in Vancouver, British Columbia
Research focused on a single town can provide in-depth details about overwintering hummingbird populations. Vancouver, British Columbia, for instance, is located a short distance north of Washington. It has a mild winter climate ideal for Anna’s Hummingbirds and rufous hummingbirds to overwinter.
A 2020 study tracked Anna’s Hummingbirds in Vancouver using banding and genetic analysis. Key findings included:
- Over 300 Anna’s Hummingbirds were banded, showing many return to the same winter sites year after year.
- DNA analysis suggested the overwintering population came from local summer residents, not long-distance migrators.
- Birds showed site fidelity even to small feeding territories within a garden.
- The sex ratio was biased towards males, likely because males are more dominant in securing territories.
This type of detailed local research reveals survival strategies and site preferences of overwintering hummingbirds near their northern limits of year-round residency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several hummingbird species migrate out of Washington every winter, while some Anna’s Hummingbirds and other species are able to withstand the cold and stick it out year-round. Supporting these overwintering birds with supplemental food, shelters, and native plants can boost their chances of survival. Tracking and research programs continue to provide insights into hummingbird winter ecology and adaptations. With climate change impacting natural patterns, this information will be essential for effective conservation of hummingbirds across North America.
