Even though hummingbirds are believed to be fair-weather visitors, you can still meet them in Seattle, Washington. In fact, there are four hummingbird species you can spot in this city: Anna's hummingbirds, rufous hummingbirds, calliope hummingbirds (rarer), and black-chinned hummingbirds (rarer).
When are hummingbirds in Seattle?
Anna's hummingbirds are the only kind that stays in Seattle 365 days out of the year. However, the best time to see them is in winter. Rufous hummingbirds, calliope hummingbirds, and black-chinned hummingbirds visit Seattle in summer. In September, they migrate south to Mexico and Central America for winter.
How do hummingbirds survive cold in Seattle?
The thing is that hummingbirds can reduce their body temperature at night and conserve their energy. Also, to survive the cold in Seattle, they need a lot of nectar during the days to keep them warm during the nights.
Feeding hummingbirds in winter in Seattle
If you want to help these tiny creatures overwinter in Seattle, here are a few tips on making it successful. Keep the mix at 1:4 ratio sugar to water. A higher sugar concentration doesn't necessarily benefit hummingbirds because it can harm their liver and kidneys. Also, warm your feeder and try to prevent its freezing. Hanging two feeders instead of one will be an amazing solution since Anna's hummingbirds don't share well.
Practical info
When do hummingbirds visit Seattle?
Anna's hummingbirds are a resident species in Seattle and can be seen throughout the year, but they are most easily spotted in winter. Other species like Rufous, Calliope, and Black-Chinned visit Seattle during the summer and leave for their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America during September. Show more
What helps hummingbirds survive the Seattle cold?
Hummingbirds can lower their body temperature and slow their metabolism to conserve energy. Hummingbirds require plenty of nectar during the day to keep them warm at night. Their high metabolism requires them to eat frequently. Show more
How do you feed hummingbirds in Seattle winter?
To successfully help hummingbirds overwinter in Seattle, mix sugar and water at a 1:4 ratio, warm the feeder, and use two feeders, Anna's hummingbirds do not like to share. A higher concentration of sugar can harm their liver and kidneys. Keeping the feeder from freezing is also helpful. Show more
What type of feeders do Seattle hummingbirds like?
Anna's hummingbirds of Seattle prefer tube feeders with perches. For variety or to attract other species, consider using feeders with different sizes, shapes, and colors. Clean the feeders regularly and remove any black mold, which can be fatal to birds. Show more
Which flowers attract hummingbirds to Seattle?
Seattle's native flowers such as scarlet runner bean, bleeding heart, columbine, and salvia are highly attractive to hummingbirds. Planting flowers that bloom in different seasons ensures a steady supply of nectar. Evergreen shrubs can also provide shelter to hummingbirds from Seattle's cold winters. Show more
