Do hummingbirds stay through the winter on the Oregon coast?

No, hummingbirds do not stay through the winter on the Oregon coast. Hummingbirds are migratory birds that breed during the summer in temperate North America and overwinter in warm tropical areas of Mexico and Central America. The Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that regularly spends winters along the Pacific Coast, but it is extremely rare north of California. Oregon’s climate is too cold and wet in the winter for hummingbirds to survive. They must migrate south to warmer climates where they can find enough food and shelter.

Hummingbird Biology and Migration

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with most species only 3-5 inches long and weighing 2-20 grams. Their tiny size and high metabolism require them to consume a lot of energy. Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of flowers and small insects. To power their wings for hovering and fast flight, they need to eat the equivalent of their body weight in nectar each day.

Hummingbirds are unable to store significant fat reserves or survive long periods without food. Cold winter temperatures and lack of flowering plants make it impossible for hummingbirds to survive winter in most of North America. As days get shorter and temperatures drop in late summer, hummingbirds begin their fall migration south. Some species, like the Rufous Hummingbird, may migrate over 3,000 miles between their northern breeding grounds and southern overwintering areas.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird species in eastern North America. Ruby-throats breed during summer across Canada and throughout the Eastern United States. As cold fronts move down from Canada in September, Ruby-throats begin leaving their breeding territories and migrating south. Most fly across the Gulf of Mexico to their overwintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. A few may overwinter along the Gulf Coast if they can find enough food. But Ruby-throated Hummingbirds completely vacate all of their breeding range, including Oregon’s east side.

Rufous Hummingbird

The Rufous Hummingbird nests farther north than any other hummingbird species, breeding during summer in forests and meadows from Alaska to Oregon and Idaho. As early as July, adult Rufous Hummingbirds begin migrating south through Oregon’s mountains and high deserts to wintering grounds in Mexico. By late September, few if any Rufous Hummingbirds remain in Oregon. Their absence from Oregon’s coast is clearly displayed on seasonal distribution maps.

Anna’s Hummingbird

The Anna’s Hummingbird is the only species that has expanded its range northward to overwinter along much of the Pacific Coast. It once was limited to breeding south of Oregon in California and Baja California. Anna’s Hummingbirds now breed north to British Columbia and east to Arizona. Many individuals still migrate south in winter, but increasing numbers overwinter in gardens and parks from Vancouver Island to Baja if exotic flowering plants are available.

The northward expansion of Anna’s Hummingbirds led to small wintering populations in western Oregon south of Portland, mostly in urban and suburban areas with feeders and non-native flowers. But Anna’s remain extremely rare along Oregon’s coast. The cool and wet winters make coastal towns like Seaside, Newport, and Coos Bay unsuitable habitat. Even during migration, Anna’s Hummingbirds avoid the immediate coastline and follow interior routes south through the Willamette Valley and Rogue Valley.

Winter Climate of the Oregon Coast

Oregon’s coast has a temperate oceanic climate that brings cool, wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. Winters are mild compared to inland areas, with average highs around 50°F in January. However, frequent storms and winds sweep in off the Pacific Ocean, bringing over 75 inches of rainfall on average to coastal cities like Astoria and Newport. Temperatures may rise above freezing between storms, but extended cold periods can drop lows into the 20s or even teens.

The colder temperatures make thermoregulation harder for small birds like hummingbirds, who may enter torpor at night to conserve energy. However, the bigger threat is likely the constant wind, rain, and lack of food on the Oregon coast from late fall through early spring. There are few flowers blooming, and insect activity is minimal. Feeding hummingbirds by leaving nectar feeders out during winter is possible but challenging due to rapid sugar water spoilage.

Climate Comparison to California

Anna’s Hummingbirds overwinter in greater numbers along California’s coast where the climate is milder and drier. For example, Eureka, California versus Newport, Oregon:

The warmer temperatures and lower rainfall in northern California allow more flowering plants to bloom through winter and provide better habitat for overwintering Anna’s Hummingbirds.

Rare Winter Hummingbird Sightings on Oregon’s Coast

There are occasional reports of hummingbirds sighted on the Oregon coast in winter. But these sightings represent lost, disoriented, or sick individuals that rarely survive more than a few days.BAND-TAILED PIGEONS

The most plausible winter hummingbird sightings are Anna’s Hummingbirds during fall/spring migration in October or March. Most records are from towns along major migration corridors like Brookings near the California border. However, a smattering of unverified sightings come from the northern coast around Seaside where no winter-blooming flowers exist.

Other sightings may be misidentified birds. The Rufous Hummingbird is a common migrant, and the rare Allen’s Hummingbird also passes through. Females and juveniles of these brownish species could potentially be confused with female Anna’s in winter. Rufous Hummingbirds are regular into October on the southern coast, adding to confusion.

Without photographs or banding records, most winter hummingbird reports remain unverified. However, it appears occasional Anna’s Hummingbirds may make brief stops during migration along the northern coast. Establishing winter territories for extended periods would be highly unusual.

Providing Winter Hummingbird Support

Here are tips for supporting any hummingbirds seen near the Oregon coast in winter:

Leave Feeders Up

Keep nectar feeders up through early November and resume in February. Use a 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar and replace fluid every 3 days to prevent spoilage. Avoid food coloring, which is unhealthy for birds.

Provide Shelter

Hummingbirds seek protected microclimates out of the wind and rain. Place feeders under roof overhangs or evergreen branches. Dense shrubs give shelter for nighttime roosts.

Offer Heat

A 60-watt incandescent bulb above feeders may provide warmth without light pollution. Woodpecker nest boxes can also hold heat.

Supplement Diet

Hummingbirds require protein from small insects. Place halved apples or overripe fruit to attract fruit flies and gnats. Aphid farms on ornamental plants may also help.

Identify Species

Take photos and notes to help identify lost individuals. Keep sightings reported to researchers tracking winter hummingbird populations.

Act Quickly

Cold-stressed hummingbirds need immediate help accessing food and shelter. Contact a rehabilitator if the bird appears lethargic or underweight. Catch and bring inside any grounded hummingbirds at night.

Conclusion

While rare, sightings of migrant and wintering Anna’s Hummingbirds appear to be increasing along the Oregon coast thanks to feeders and non-native plants in gardens. However, the immediate coastline remains an inhospitable environment for hummingbirds through most of the winter. Any hummingbirds attempting to overwinter require substantial support providing nectar, protein, and shelter from storms. With adequate human care, the chances of survival improve for these small birds straying far outside their normal range.