Oregon is home to a wonderful diversity of hummingbird species. Hummingbirds are a type of bird found only in the Americas. They are known for their incredibly fast wing beats, ability to hover in midair, and long slender bills adapted for drinking nectar from flowers. Oregon’s mild climate and abundance of flowering plants make it an ideal habitat for these tiny birds.
Common Hummingbird Species in Oregon
The most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird in Oregon is the Anna’s Hummingbird. This medium-sized hummingbird has iridescent emerald-green feathers on its back and gray underparts. The male has a striking rose-pink throat and crown. Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents in most of western Oregon and breed very early, with nesting activity observed from December to August.
Rufous Hummingbirds are the smallest hummingbird species commonly found in Oregon. These birds breed in forests across the Pacific Northwest and migrate south to Mexico for the winter. During migration, Rufous Hummingbirds can be abundant in gardens and parks across Oregon from April through September. The males have bright copper-colored plumage on their backs and tails.
Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest breeding hummingbird in the United States and are regular summer residents in eastern Oregon’s high elevation meadows and forests. These tiny birds have bright magenta streaks on their throats. Calliope Hummingbirds migrate south in the fall across Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and can occasionally be spotted in western Oregon gardens.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds breed in eastern Oregon and migrate through the state’s mountains and river valleys. The males have a dark, forked band below their metallic purple throats. Black-chinned Hummingbirds can be seen along migration routes on both sides of the Cascades from April to October.
Uncommon and Rare Hummingbird Visitors
In addition to the regular species, vagrant hummingbirds sometimes appear well outside their typical range. These lost and wandering individuals occasionally visit feeders and gardens across Oregon.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are increasingly overwintering along Oregon’s coast, but Rufous Hummingbirds are very rare in winter. Allen’s Hummingbird is a rare but regular winter visitor along the south coast. Other hummingbird species such as Calliope, Broad-tailed, Buff-bellied, and Violet-crowned have been documented, but are considered exceptional finds.
Perhaps the most famous vagrant hummingbird in Oregon history was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that took up residence in a Beaverton yard in the fall and winter of 2001-2002. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds normally do not travel any farther west than Texas, making this lost bird extremely far from its typical range.
When and Where to See Hummingbirds in Oregon
April through May is an excellent time to observe northbound migrating Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds moving through forests and mountain passes in eastern and central Oregon. Summer brings nesting Anna’s, Calliope, Black-chinned, and Rufous Hummingbirds to sites across the state. In western Oregon, Anna’s Hummingbirds will visit backyard feeders year-round, but activity peaks between April and September.
Eastern Oregon hosts the greatest diversity of hummingbird species during summer breeding months. Productive areas to search include wildflower meadows on Steens Mountain, Zumwalt Prairie, and in the Wallowa Mountains. Riparian habitats along rivers and streams in Hells Canyon, Ochoco National Forest, and the John Day basin are also excellent sites. Summer sightings require some effort, as hummingbirds disperse widely across mountain forests and remote canyons.
In western Oregon, look for hummingbirds in gardens and parks, especially those with an abundance of flowering plants. Productive urban spots include the Portland Rose Garden, Eugene’s Hendricks Park, and Ashland’s Lithia Park. Botanical gardens, nurseries, and backyard feeders across western Oregon attract these tiny birds throughout the summer.
As southbound migration gets underway in late summer, good numbers of hummingbirds tend to concentrate along the coast and in the Rogue Valley where late-blooming flowers provide fuel. Cape Arago near Coos Bay, Brookings’ Azalea Park, and Ashland’s Emigrant Lake are some locations where migrating hummers can be observed in late summer and early fall.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
Here are some tips to make your garden or yard attractive for hummingbirds:
- Set up nectar feeders – Use a few small feeders filled with a 4:1 ratio of water to white granulated sugar. Place them in different spots around your garden. Clean and disinfect feeders every few days.
- Plant native flowers – Catalogues and plant tags will indicate “hummingbird favorites.” Some top plants are fuchsias, columbines, penstemons, monkeyflowers, paintbrushes, and sages.
- Provide dripping water – Hummingbirds bathe and drink while flying. Set up a mister or dripper over a shallow bowl.
- Avoid pesticides – Chemicals can make the nectar toxic. Use organic gardening methods.
- Supply perches – Hummers often rest between feeder visits. Place sticks, poles, or low branches near feeders.
- Be patient – It can take time for hummers to discover new feeders. Keep them freshly stocked and hummingbirds will find them.
Unique Traits and Abilities
Here are some amazing facts about the biology and behavior of hummingbirds:
- Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover and fly backwards.
- They have the highest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal. To conserve energy, they go into torpor at night.
- Hummingbirds drink nectar equivalent to their body weight each day.
- Their long tongues allow them to access nectar from specialized flowers.
- They aggressively defend feeding territories from intruders.
- Some species migrate long distances. Rufous hummingbirds fly over 5000 miles each year.
- Their nests are tiny – half dollar coin sized – and built with spider silk and lichen.
Threats and Conservation
The major threats facing hummingbirds include:
- Habitat loss – Development, logging, agriculture, and urbanization can destroy essential flower and nesting sites.
- Pesticides – Chemicals applied to lawns, gardens, and crops can poison birds or contaminate nectar sources.
- Climate change – Warming trends, drought, and extreme weather events may impact migration patterns and reduce food availability.
- Window collisions – Hummers are vulnerable to striking reflective glass while feeding or chasing rivals near buildings.
Protecting natural areas, reducing pesticide use, placing window decals, and planting for nectar sources can help conserve hummingbird populations. Citizens can also contribute observations to databases and participate in hummingbird research.
Fascinating Hummingbird Research
Scientists have made some intriguing discoveries about hummingbird behavior, physiology, and migration through banding programs, field studies, and laboratory research. Here are some examples of hummingbird research projects in Oregon:
- Oregon State University researchers are studying the composition of Anna’s Hummingbird feathers using scanning electron microscopy and spectrometry to understand how they produce iridescent color.
- Willamette University biologists are tracking Rufous Hummingbird migration through Oregon using tiny radio transmitters attached with a figure-eight loop harness.
- Professor Matt Betts at Oregon State University analyzed how landscape features like agricultural fields and forest edges act as barriers or filters during hummingbird migration.
- Researchers at the University of Portland are using feeder surveillance cameras and pattern recognition software to automatically identify individual hummingbirds by their unique plumage traits.
You can help scientists learn more about hummingbirds by reporting interesting sightings to databases like eBird and by participating in region-wide citizen science efforts like the Idaho Hummingbird Project and the Southwest Oregon Hummingbird Project.
Conclusion
Oregon’s diverse landscapes support an abundance of hummingbird species throughout the year. The next time you see one of these energetic little birds visiting your garden, you’ll have a greater appreciation of their incredible migratory journeys, unique adaptations, and importance to native ecosystems. By planting hummingbird-friendly flowers and protecting habitats, Oregonians can continue providing essential sanctuary for these special birds.
