Hummingbird

Anna's hummingbird

Calypte anna

A year-round hummingbird of lowland gardens and parks in Whatcom and Skagit counties, whose range has spread north with flowering ornamental plants and backyard feeders.

Seasonality

Peaks in March, April. Resident all year; males display most actively from December to April.

Behavior

Stays through winter, surviving cold nights by dropping into torpor.
Males sing a scratchy song from exposed perches and make steep display dives.
Starts nesting as early as January, earlier than almost any other local bird.

Photography tips

Males return to the same exposed twig to sing; set up within range and wait.
The magenta crown and throat only light up at certain angles, so take plenty of frames as the head turns.

Field ethics

If you put out feeders, keep them clean and thawed in winter, and keep back from nests.

Where to look

Tennant LakeWhatcom County · Peaks in March, April
Boulevard ParkWhatcom County · Peaks in March, April