California is a habitat for hummingbirds, serving as a permanent home for some species and a stopover point for others. The state’s diverse geography, including coastal chaparral, deserts, and mountain ranges, supports complex residency and migration patterns. This varied landscape provides the year-round nectar and insect sources these high-energy birds require. The presence of these birds is constant across much of the state, though the specific species observed changes with the seasons and location.
California’s Year-Round Residents
The most common permanent resident is the Anna’s Hummingbird, found year-round across much of the Pacific coast and southern regions. Unlike most other North American hummingbirds, the Anna’s does not undertake long-distance migration, adapting instead to local conditions. The male is identified by its iridescent rose-colored crown and throat, which is unique among California species.
This species has successfully adapted to urban and suburban environments, contributing to its range expansion beyond its original Southern California chaparral habitat. The availability of non-native, winter-blooming plants, such as eucalyptus, and human-provided nectar feeders support their ability to overwinter. The Anna’s Hummingbird has an early breeding season, with nesting beginning as early as November or December, coinciding with winter rains and the early bloom of native flora.
Another year-round resident is the Costa’s Hummingbird, primarily limited to the arid regions of Southern California. These birds flourish in the desert heat, relying on early-blooming plants like chuparosa and ocotillo. Additionally, a small, non-migratory population of Allen’s Hummingbirds resides year-round in the Channel Islands and the adjacent Southern California mainland.
The Seasonal Migrants
While some hummingbirds are permanent residents, spring and fall bring an influx of seasonal migrants utilizing the state’s resources. The Rufous Hummingbird, known for one of the longest migrations relative to its size, passes through California. They move north along the Pacific coast in late winter and spring, heading toward breeding grounds as far north as Alaska.
Their return journey in late summer is often routed differently, with many traveling south through interior mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada, from July to September. This clockwise migration pattern ensures they follow the bloom of flowers. The Allen’s Hummingbird, a significant migrant, arrives in late winter to breed along the California coast, particularly in central and northern areas.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a widespread visitor, arriving in California’s interior and northern regions around April for the breeding season. They migrate south again in late summer, departing by August, often utilizing riparian corridors in canyons and open woodlands. These migratory routes, sometimes called the Pacific Flyway, see birds refueling at coastal areas and montane meadows before continuing to Mexico for the winter.
Attracting and Supporting Hummingbirds in Your Landscape
Supporting hummingbirds requires providing consistent, high-energy food sources and appropriate habitat elements. Planting native California species offers natural nectar and the small insects that form a substantial part of their diet during the breeding season. Excellent choices include Manzanita, California Fuchsia, and various native sages, such as Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea).
If using a feeder, the solution should be one part white granulated sugar to four parts water, mimicking natural nectar concentration. Feeders require regular cleaning, as sugar water spoils quickly, especially in warmer temperatures. During hot spells above 90°F, cleaning and refilling every two days is necessary; otherwise, a three-to-four-day schedule is sufficient. Avoiding pesticides is important, as hummingbirds rely on insects for protein, particularly when feeding their young.