72 Microseasons of the Pacific Northwest

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is the only hummingbird species that overwinters in the Pacific Northwest rather than migrating south. Once restricted to California, the species has expanded its year-round range northward into the Puget Sound region, the BC coast, and even Vancouver Island since the 1970s, largely aided by ornamental winter-blooming plants and backyard feeders. On cold January mornings, male Anna's Hummingbirds perch in bare shrubs and deliver their buzzy, scratchy song — one of the only songbirds singing in the PNW in the depths of winter. Male Anna's are stunning in direct sunlight: their gorget (throat patch) flashes an electric rose-magenta that appears black in shadow. Males perform a spectacular dive display during courtship — climbing 30 meters or more before diving steeply past the perched female and producing a sharp "peep" with their tail feathers at the bottom of the plunge. This display occurs even in January on mild days. Key nectar sources during this period include Mahonia x media (winter mahonia), Daphne odora (winter daphne), Garrya elliptica (silk-tassel bush), Viburnum, and various witch hazels. Urban and suburban gardens throughout the Seattle metro area, Victoria, BC, and coastal Oregon towns support resident birds. Those who maintain feeders (use warm water or insulated feeders to prevent freezing) will have reliable daily hummingbird visitors even when frost coats the garden. Look for birds actively hawking tiny winter gnats and midges on warm afternoons — Anna's Hummingbirds supplement nectar with insects year-round.