7 Hummingbirds in Washington state
Washington, D.C., is home to a plethora of birds. Many are native to the area, while others come from all over the world in search of food and shelter. The bird population in Washington is diverse and colorful. From bluebirds to cardinals to hummingbirds, there are many different types of birds to see throughout the region. So, this page will help you know the types of hummingbirds in Washington state.
Some of the hummingbirds that are common in Washington include Anna’s hummingbirds, Rufous hummingbirds, Black-chinned hummingbirds, calliope hummingbirds, and Ruby-throat hummingbirds, Costa’s hummingbirds, and broad-tailed hummingbirds.
Are there any hummingbirds in Washington state?
Yes, there are hummingbirds in Washington state. Hummingbirds are native to North America and have been spotted in every state except Hawaii. They are small, green birds with long slender tails and long, thin beaks.
They can fly up to 50 miles per hour and hover in place for long periods of time. Most hummingbirds live in the tropics or subtropics, but they can be found as far north as Canada.
If you’re looking to see a hummingbird in Washington state, you’ll want to look for one of the following species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna); Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri); Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Ramphocelus Angustifolia); Calliope Hummingbird (Mellisuga cornuta); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris).
7 Hummingbirds in Washington state
So, let us check out the list of the hummingbirds that are common for you to find in Washington.
1. Anna’s hummingbirds
Anna’s hummingbirds are the smallest of the three North American hummingbird species. They are named for their resemblance to Anna, a character from a German fairy tale.
Also, Anna’s hummingbirds may have been introduced to Washington state in the 1980s by people who were taking them home as pets. They were first spotted in Cascades National Park in 1992, and they have since been found on all of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula coastlines.
Anna’s hummingbird is a migratory species that spend the winter months at higher elevations in Mexico and Central America before returning to lower elevations during springtime. They also migrate north during winter when food becomes scarce.
2. Rufous hummingbirds
Yes, there are hummingbirds in Washington State. Rufous hummingbirds are common throughout the state and can be seen year-round. They are small, about 1 inch long. They have a red throat and white neck band with a black eye stripe. They have bright green wings with a black band around them, giving them their name “rufous.”
Also, the Rufous hummingbirds live throughout the state and can be found in the northern part of the state, where they are most common. They also live in the southern part of the state but are less common there.
You can find rufous hummingbirds in a wide variety of habitats, including forested areas and agricultural fields.
They prefer to feed on nectar from flowers such as thistle and daisy plants, but they will also feed on insects that are attracted to flowers as well. They may even visit your garden if you have some flowers blooming.
3. Black-chinned hummingbirds
The black-chinned hummingbird is the most common species in Washington state, and it’s found throughout the state. They can be spotted at any time of year, but they’re usually out and about from late spring to late fall.
You’ll find them feeding on nectar and small insects around flowers like milkweed, thistle (Erythronium), clematis (Clematis), larkspur (Delphinium), and goldenrod (Solidago). They also enjoy eating small berries like hawthorn (Crataegus), serviceberry (Amelanchier), currant (Ribes), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), elderberry (Sambucus), rose hips (Rosa rubiginosa), and Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium).
4. Calliope hummingbirds
Calliope hummingbirds are one of the most common types of hummingbirds in the state, and they can be found all around Lake Washington. They’re also pretty easy to spot since they’re so small, with a wingspan of just 4 inches.
These little guys are best observed while they’re feeding on flowers and insects. They tend to feed at dusk or before dawn, so if you’re looking for them during those times, you should have no problem spotting them.
5. Ruby-throat hummingbirds
Yes, there are hummingbirds in Washington state. The ruby-throat hummingbird is a species that you’re probably familiar with. It’s the state bird of Washington, and its bright red throat makes it easy to identify.
The male ruby-throat is smaller than the female (about 6 inches) and has a gray head and a white patch on its back. The females have black throats and a little bit of blue on their sides.
Also, Ruby-throats are known for their beautiful mating display; males will fly high above their mate’s perch and make high-pitched whistles that sound like warbles. They’ll also chase each other around in circles before landing on another branch to court their lady love.
The ruby-throat is a common sight across the state in the summertime, but they’re most prevalent during spring migration when they make their way north from Mexico into Washington state. You can spot them while you’re hiking or camping out at one of our many natural areas as they like open spaces so they can see predators coming.
6. Costa’s hummingbirds
Costa’s hummingbirds are the warm-weather birds of Washington state. They are not, however, the only hummingbirds in Washington state.
The best way to find out whether or not Costa’s hummingbirds are present in your area is to look for their calls. These calls are audible and can be heard from a distance of about 3 miles (4.8 km) away when they are coming from an open area with lots of vegetation, such as a forest or marshland area.
7. Broad-tailed hummingbirds
The Broad-tailed hummingbird is one of the most common in Washington state. They can be found in many areas, including the Gorge and Mount Rainier National Park. They are small birds with large wings, long tails, and brilliant colors. The male has a bright red throat, while the female lacks this coloration.
These birds prefer open areas with lots of flowers and insects to feed on. They will also visit backyard gardens if they’re looking for food. The male bird has a mating call that sounds like “tit tit tit tit tit t” and will attract females with this song.
Where do hummingbirds live in Washington state?
In the state of Washington, hummingbirds live in the mountains, on the coast, and in the desert.
The mountains are a perfect place for hummingbirds because they can find plenty of food there. Hummingbirds love to eat nectar from flowers, so they can be found feeding on flowers like lupines, columbines, and daisies.
The coast is another great place for hummingbirds because it provides them with lots of food sources, including nectar-producing plants such as fruit trees and shrubs. Hummingbirds also enjoy eating insects such as flies and moths that are attracted to lights at night.
Also, the desert provides hummers with plenty of food sources, including nectar-producing plants such as cacti and agaves, which provide them with water during dry periods.
In addition to this, there are many insects that live in desert environments that provide food for hummingbirds, including beetles and caterpillars, which are also eaten by other animals such as bears, who prefer these insects over other types of food like fish or frogs.
When should I put out my hummingbird feeder in Washington state?
The best time to put out your hummingbird feeder in Washington state is in the spring when the weather starts warming up and the days are getting longer.
It’s also a good idea to put your hummingbird feeder out as soon as you know that nectar sources have started producing pollen.
Do hummingbirds stay year-round in Washington state?
The short answer is yes, hummingbirds are able to stay year-round in Washington. Hummingbirds are well known for their ability to adapt to changing conditions, so it’s not surprising that they can live in colder climates like Washington state.
However, there are some exceptions. Some species of hummingbirds are only active during certain seasons of the year. So, if you are finding it hard to locate one particular hummingbird, then it is possible it is one of those that does not stay all year round.
How do you attract hummingbirds?
If you live in an area where hummingbirds are common, you can put up a feeder and some flowers on your patio or deck and start attracting them right away. However, if you don’t see any hummingbirds in your neighborhood, it may take more time and effort to attract them to your yard.
If you live in an area where there are lots of other types of birds but no hummingbirds, consider planting trees that provide shelter for small birds like sparrows and finches. In addition to adding beauty to your yard, these trees will help attract hummingbirds by providing food sources such as berries.
You can also try building a bird house for hummingbirds in your yard or planting flowers that provide nectar for them, like passionflower plants or tubular bells (also known as thistles).
In order to attract hummingbirds to your garden, make sure you have plenty of flowers with nectar available throughout the season so they don’t feel threatened by other birds that might be visiting at different times during the year (like cardinals).
Should a hummingbird feeder be in the sun or shade?
No matter where you put your hummingbird feeder, it will provide a steady source of nectar for your favorite little fliers.
The best place for a hummingbird feeder is in direct sunlight, as the sun provides the most energy and warmth to help keep the nectar at its ideal temperature.
But if you live in an area where there isn’t any direct sunlight, or if that’s not an option, then a sunny spot will still work just fine. The reason is that indirect sunlight can help keep the nectar at its ideal temperature.
The same thing goes for shade: even if you don’t have any direct sunlight available, a shady spot can help keep the nectar warm enough to attract hummingbirds. The shade gives off some heat as well as light, so it doesn’t cool down too quickly after being exposed to direct sunlight.
Where should you not hang a hummingbird feeder?
The following locations are not appropriate for hanging your hummingbird feeder:
On a horizontal surface, especially one that will get wet, this could lead to mold or rot.
Above the tree line, unless you have a very large feeder and plan on using it for more than just hummingbirds, it’s best to place your feeder at least four feet off of the ground.
Near an electrical outlet or transformer; if you do put your feeder near one of these, make sure that it is not connected directly to any wires or circuits.
Can you hang a hummingbird feeder from a tree?
Yes, you can hang a hummingbird feeder from a tree. The best way to hang your hummingbird feeder is to use a strong string and a sturdy hook. You can also use a fishing line or twine, but it may not be as strong.
You should choose the location for your hummingbird feeder with care. The safest place is up high enough that you won’t have to worry about the weight of the feeder pulling it down when the birds are eating. This can cause injury to yourself or damage to the feeder.
Another consideration is how you will fill the feeder with nectar. If you fill it too full, it may spill over and get on your porch or driveway; if you leave some room in it, you may need to refill it more often because of evaporation.
Choose a weighty material like plastic or metal instead of glass so that if it does spill over, it won’t break into sharp shards that could injure someone or damage property.
Do wind chimes scare hummingbirds?
Yes, wind chimes can scare hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are delicate creatures, and they don’t like loud noises. When you use a wind chime, your yard will sound like a bird’s nest in the springtime.
Truly, Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers and nectar, but when you put up a wind chime in your yard, there’s nothing for them to eat. They’ll leave your yard and sometimes even your house in search of food and water sources elsewhere.
You can keep the birds away by hanging your wind chime in an open area that is not near any flowers or bird feeders. If hummingbirds are attracted to something else (like a bird feeder), try hanging that item at an angle so that it doesn’t look directly at the hummingbird feeder itself.
How high should you hang a hummingbird feeder?
The ideal height for your hummingbird feeder is about 6 to 8 feet off the ground. This will allow them to get close enough to feed, but not so close that they can’t fly away in case of danger.
If you want to give them the best chance of successfully feeding, you’ll need to make sure that your feeder is at least 8 feet off the ground so that they have enough space to fly between it and the ground.
Will more feeders attract more hummingbirds?
Yes, more feeders will attract more hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to a variety of foods, but the most important thing is to provide them with a source of nectar. Hummingbirds need nectar to survive, and the best way to do that is by providing them with a variety of sources at different times of the day.
More feeders mean that there are more nectar sources for your hummingbirds, which means they will be able to find food more easily and stay healthy.
Conclusion
Do not be surprised to find hummingbirds in Washington state. Hummingbirds are one of the most popular birds in North America. They are common throughout the United States and Canada, but they are especially well-known for their fondness for hummingbird feeders.
It’s not surprising that hummingbirds love Washington State. Washington is home to a number of public parks where you can find hummingbird feeders and watch these beautiful birds feed from them. You can even find places where you can watch them build nests in trees or on buildings.
