Hummingbirds
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
One of the few hummingbirds that can be present all year in parts of its range. It is strongly territorial around feeders and will defend a favourite port.
- Food to offer
- Nectar
- Feeder that suits it
- Nectar feeder
- Size
- Small
- When to expect it
- Year-round (Pacific coast and southwest)
- Region
- West
Photos of Anna's Hummingbird
4 imagesFeeding Anna's Hummingbird at a glance
For someone putting out food for the first time.
What to put out
- Nectar: one part white sugar to four parts water
Best feeder and placement
Nectar feeder.
How it behaves at the feeder
Strongly territorial around feeders and can be present all year in parts of its range.
How to recognise it
Male has a rose-red crown and throat that flash in good light. Female has a grey-green back and some red spotting on the throat.
Often confused with
Rufous Hummingbird — Rufous is orange-brown; Anna's is green-grey with a red crown.
One thing to watch
One of the few hummingbirds present year-round in parts of the west. Winter feeding is reasonable there.
A year-round hummingbird
Most North American hummingbirds are seasonal. Anna's is an exception in parts of its range, and it will use feeders through the winter where it stays.
That means the cleaning routine does not get a winter break. Sugar water spoils more slowly in cold weather, but it still needs regular changing.
Identification and behaviour
Males have a rose-red crown and throat that flash in good light; in dull light the head looks dark. Females are green-grey above with some red spotting on the throat.
They are strongly territorial around feeders and will defend a favourite port against other hummingbirds, sometimes for long periods.
Common questions
Should I feed hummingbirds in winter?
Where Anna's Hummingbirds are resident, yes. Keep the feeder clean and prevent it from freezing.
Can I add anything to stop it freezing?
No. Only sugar and water. Never add antifreeze or anything else.
Why is one bird chasing all the others?
Territoriality. Anna's Hummingbirds defend feeders aggressively, especially a favourite port.