Hummingbirds are a familiar sight in Washington state during the spring and summer months. These tiny, energetic birds can be seen visiting backyard feeders and darting around gardens and parks. But when the weather turns cold in the fall and winter, the hummingbirds seem to disappear. This leads many Washington residents to wonder: do hummingbirds that spend the warmer months in Washington migrate south for the winter?
The short answer is yes, most hummingbirds that breed in Washington do migrate south in the fall to escape the cold weather and limited food availability. However, a few species may overwinter in the state if they can find enough food. Hummingbirds have a high metabolism and need to eat frequently to maintain their energy, so migration is key to their survival in colder climates.
Washington is located along the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south migration route for birds. This allows several species of hummingbirds to stop in Washington during spring and fall migrations even if they don’t breed there. Let’s take a closer look at the hummingbird species found in Washington and their migration habits.
Hummingbird Species in Washington
The four main species of hummingbirds seen in Washington are:
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is the most common year-round resident hummingbird in Washington. They are medium-sized with green backs and gray undersides. Adult males have vivid magenta throats and crowns. Females lack the colorful throat patch and have green spots on their crowns.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is the smallest breeding hummingbird in Washington. Adult males are bright orange on the back and belly with green shoulders. Females and immature birds are green above and white below with orange-red throat patches and tails.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest bird species in North America. Males have colorful magenta throats and tiny bodies less than 3 inches long. Females lack throat patches and have white tips on their tail feathers.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) has a dark, forked tail and white breast band. Adult males have iridescent purple throats bordered by black. Females have pale throats and white tips on the outer tail feathers.
| Species | Size | Color | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Medium | Green back, gray underside, males have magenta throats | Only year-round resident in Washington |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Small | Males orange and green, females green and white | Smallest breeding hummingbird in Washington |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Tiny | Males with magenta throats, females with white-tipped tails | Smallest bird species in North America |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Medium | Males with purple throats, females with white-tipped tails | Dark, forked tail |
This covers the main species, but vagrant hummingbirds from other regions sometimes appear in Washington as well. Now let’s look at the migration habits of each species.
Migration Patterns
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents in most of Washington state. They do not migrate and can tolerate cold temperatures as low as 23°F if an adequate food supply is available. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades. Anna’s hummingbirds start breeding in early February – the earliest of any hummingbird species.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbirds breed in Washington and western Canada in the summer, then migrate south to winter in Mexico and the Gulf Coast. Their migration covers 3,900 miles each way – the longest migration of any hummingbird species relative to body size. Most Rufous Hummingbirds leave Washington by late August or September. They start arriving again in early April to establish breeding territories.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds nest in high mountain meadows in Washington before migrating south to Mexico for the winter. They arrive in Washington in early May and depart by late July to mid-August. Their small size allows them to survive cold nights while breeding in the mountains.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbirds breed farther south and east of Washington. Most Black-chinned Hummingbirds pass through the state during spring and fall migrations between California and British Columbia. Some may stop to breed in eastern Washington. Their migration timing is April-May and July-September.
| Species | Migration Pattern |
|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Year-round resident, does not migrate |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Long-distance migration, winters in Mexico and Gulf Coast |
| Calliope Hummingbird | Breeds in WA mountains, winters in Mexico |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Pass through WA during migrations between CA and BC |
So in summary, Anna’s Hummingbirds stay year-round, while Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned migrate south in the fall and return north in the spring. The exceptions are periodic overwintering individuals if food is available. Next let’s look at identification tips by season.
Identifying Washington’s Hummingbirds by Season
Spring (March-May)
In spring, the first hummingbird arrivals are usually Rufous Hummingbirds in early April. The males have bright orange plumage. Anna’s and Black-chinned start arriving in April and May. Calliope Hummingbirds pass through on their way to mountain meadows.
Summer (June-August)
In summer, Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds are found breeding in appropriate habitats across Washington. Anna’s and Black-chinned also breed in the state. Watch for tiny Calliope Hummingbirds in high meadows. Distinguish Rufous from Anna’s by their smaller size and all-orange bodies.
Fall (September-November)
In fall, Rufous Hummingbirds start migrating south in August and September. Anna’s, Calliope, and Black-chinned follow by late September. Some Rufous and Anna’s may linger into October if food remains. By November, only resident Anna’s Hummingbirds remain.
Winter (December-February)
In winter, Anna’s Hummingbirds are the only expected species. Any other hummingbirds seen are likely vagrant rarities drawn north by artificial feeders. Check any winter hummingbird sightings carefully against reference photos.
| Season | Expected Species |
|---|---|
| Spring | Rufous, Anna’s, Black-chinned, Calliope |
| Summer | Rufous, Calliope, Anna’s, Black-chinned |
| Fall | Rufous, Anna’s, Calliope, Black-chinned |
| Winter | Anna’s |
Following the expected migration schedules and identification tips by season will help you determine which hummingbird species to watch for across the year in Washington.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most hummingbird species that breed in Washington state migrate south in fall to overwinter in Mexico and farther south. Anna’s Hummingbirds are the only species expected year-round. Other species pass through or breed in Washington from spring through fall before migrating south again for the winter. By understanding the migration patterns and identification tips by season, birdwatchers can determine when to observe each species in the state. Providing nectar feeders and native plants will help sustain migrating and breeding hummingbirds while they are in Washington.
